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Small Urban GTHA Mayors meet with Associate Minister of Mental Health & Addictions Michael Tibollo

Small Urban GTHA Mayors Meeting_March 10 2023

*Please see below a news release issued by the Small Urban GTHA Mayors caucus.

For Immediate Release
March 10, 2023

The Small Urban GTHA Mayors met on March 10 to discuss issues of importance for small urban municipalities, including access to quality care for mental health and addiction.

The Mayors welcomed Michael Tibollo, MPP for Vaughan-Woodbridge and Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions for the Province of Ontario. The Associate Minister shared with the Mayors that he is focused on outreach, on understanding the needs of each municipality and on finding creative ways to address the need for access to mental health and addiction services in all areas of the Province, including rural areas.

Associate Minister Tibollo offered to visit communities to speak with local Mayors and their Councils. He discussed increased violence in Ontario communities, attributing some of it to the isolation and frustration people have experienced as a result of the pandemic as well as from economic challenges.

Some highlights from Associate Minister Tibollo’s comments from today are:

  • The Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) MOBYSS are great for rural areas. The Mobile Youth Walk-In Clinics (MOBYSS) offer a safe space to talk to a medical or mental health professional in a warm, welcoming and friendly environment. The mobile walk-in clinic is staffed by a nurse practitioner, youth mental health worker and peer support specialist. Services are 100-per-cent free and confidential. A health card is not required.
  • Based on statistics from the mobile youth clinics, the Province will be able to determine where crisis centres are required. They provide day treatment programs and immediate support and are cost-effective. Crisis Centres and mobile youth clinics help relieve congestion in hospitals and provide options for rural areas.
  • Associate Minister Tibollo suggested Youth Wellness Hubs are great to have in the community, bringing needed mental health and addiction services to youth, young adults and their families.

The Small Urban GTHA Mayors will meet in person in April in the Township of King

About Small Urban GTHA Mayors

The Small Urban GTHA Mayors caucus includes mayors of 13 Ontario urban towns with a population under 100,000 and chaired by Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas. The Small Urban GTHA Mayors advocate for issues and policies important to Ontario’s small urban municipalities.

The current Chair for the Small Urban GTHA Mayors caucus is Township of King Mayor Steve Pellegrini.

**Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward attends Small Urban GTHA Mayors caucus meetings as a liaison to larger municipalities in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area.

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A Better Burlington began in 2006 after my neighbours said they felt left out of city decisions, learning about them only after they’d been made. As journalist for 22 years, I thought “I can do something about that” and a website and newsletter were born. They’ve taken various forms and names over the years, but the intent remains: To let you know what’s happening at City Hall before decisions are made, so you can influence outcomes for A Better Burlington. The best decisions are made when elected representatives tap the wisdom of our community members, and welcome many different perspectives.This site allows residents to comment and debate with each other; our Commenting Guidelines established in 2016 aim to keep debate respectful. Got an idea or comment you want to share privately? Please, get in touch:

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