Public Safety Takes All Of Us

Ontario has strengthened the rules around illegal drug use in public spaces through the Safer Municipalities Act, 2025.

🚫 Public drug use: Provincial law provides police with additional tools to address illegal drug use in public spaces.

👮‍♂️ Enforcement: These powers rest with police, not Midland’s bylaw officers, municipal staff or Town Council.

⚖️ What happens next: Once charges are laid, decisions about prosecution, penalties and sentencing are part of the provincial justice system. They are not decisions made by the Mayor or Council.

I think it is important to be clear about this because residents deserve to know who is responsible for what, and who to call when there is a problem.

At the same time, we cannot lose sight of the human side of this issue.

Addiction is a serious health condition. People struggling with addiction need access to treatment, mental health care and other supports. Compassion and accountability are not opposites. We can believe that people deserve help while also believing that our parks, streets, businesses and public spaces should be safe for everyone.

As Mayor, I will continue advocating to the levels of government responsible for health care, addiction services, policing and the justice system. But advocacy does not replace enforcement when laws are being broken.

So what can you do?

Call it in.

If you witness a crime or illegal public drug use, report it to the OPP. Don’t assume someone else already has.

Police cannot respond to incidents they do not know about, and reports also help establish an accurate picture of what is happening in our community and where resources are needed.

Community safety isn’t something we can simply delegate to somebody else.

It takes all of us.

Midland has approximately 18,000 residents. We are neighbours, business owners, families, first responders, community organizations and residents who care about where we live.

Compassion for people. Accountability for behaviour. Safe public spaces for everyone.

That is the balance I will continue working for.