Ontario Investing in Mobile Crisis Response Teams to Better Protect Communities
August 22, 2025
OTTAWA — As part of its plan to protect and keep communities safe, the Ontario government is enhancing public safety by investing $240,000 over two years to support the mobile crisis response team led by the Ottawa Police Service. The funding will enable police to work with trained crisis workers to provide the specialized support often needed when interacting with people who are experiencing a mental health-related crisis.
“This announcement is great news for the riding of Carleton, and the entire City of Ottawa,” said MPP for Carleton, George Darouze. “For the past five years, we have been experiencing a surge in mental health-related incidents. This training will assist the Ottawa Police Service as they work closely with the Ottawa Hospital’s Mobile Crisis Team in our city.”
“Our government is taking decisive action to protect Ontario by ensuring police have the tools, resources, and partnerships they need to keep our communities safe,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “Through this grant, we are equipping police services with the means to strengthen Mobile Crisis Response Teams—made up of police and crisis workers—who are uniquely positioned to respond to people experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, de-escalating situations that could threaten public safety while connecting vulnerable individuals with the support they need.”
The Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) Enhancement Grant offers funding to police services to increase crisis workers on their teams. This grant supports the on-going need for additional mental health assistance on calls involving individuals experiencing a mental health and/or addiction crisis, as well as to better leverage local mental health expertise.
“Calls for service related to mental health have been increasing for years. They are very complex and at times challenging for our officers to manage this program and provincial funding will partner our officers directly with a mental health professional.” said Ottawa Police Service Chief, Eric Stubbs. “This is outstanding. There is no doubt that we will have an enhanced ability to properly assess and make decisions with those that are experiencing a mental health crisis. We appreciate the support from the Provincial Government and look forward to working with our partners in the mental health industry.”
For 2025-26 and 2026-27, 36 police services and OPP detachments will receive approximately $9 million through the Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant to increase the capacity of mobile crisis response teams across the province.
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Office of George Darouze – MPP Carleton
Phone: 613-838-4425
Email: george.darouze@pc.ola.org
www.georgedarouzempp.ca