Late last month, the Ford government announced $240,000 in additional funding over two years to support the Mobile Crisis Response Team of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS).
Funding through the Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant is designed to enable local police to work with trained crisis workers to produce specialized support when interacting with individuals who are experiencing a mental health-related crisis.
NRPS Chief Bill Fordy issued a statement praising the province’s investment in this critical area.
“Every day, our members meet individuals and families at some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives,” said Fordy. “These calls require more than a response – they require compassion and the right expertise at the right time. This investment strengthens our ability to bring these elements together by pairing our officers with skilled mental health crisis workers, helping to safely de-escalate situations and connect people to meaningful supports.”
“We are sincerely grateful for the province’s continued commitment to strengthening community safety through thoughtful, collaborative response models.”
Local MPP Sam Oosterhoff highlighted the importance of the province’s announcement as well.
“In a time of mental distress, a Mobile Crisis Response Team can make a critical life-saving difference by safely deescalating an emergency response,” said Oosterhoff. “This important funding will help support frontline officers right across the region.”
Michael Kerzner, Ontario’s Solicitor General, explained that a Mobile Crisis Response Team can be used particularly effectively in responding to situations involving both mental health crises and addiction issues.
“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 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.”
According to the provincial government, in 2025-26 and 2026-27, the NRPS was one of 36 police services and Ontario Provincial Police detachments throughout the province to receive money through the Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant, totalling roughly $9 million.
Jay Goldberg is the Canadian Affairs Manager at the Consumer Choice Center. He previously served as the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
