Opposition parties join calls for Ontario to recalibrate approach to homelessness [Video]

Calls are growing for the provincial government to step up its response to social and economic issues manifesting in homeless encampments across Ontario’s towns and cities.

The leaders of Ontario’s three opposition parties joined a plea on Monday started by municipal mayors for the province to negotiate a new deal with towns and cities, taking back control of services that were once under the umbrella of Queen’s Park.

During her speech at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa, NDP Leader Marit Stiles said she would push the province to begin delivering services it handed to local governments years ago.

“Ontario municipalities are investing over $60 billion annually in vital services and infrastructure, and what do you get in return?” Stiles said, addressing the largest gathering of local leaders in the provincial calendar.

“Forced to jack up property taxes on people you know are already struggling to pay their bills, subsidizing programs other levels of government should be …