The need for action is urgent

Over the past year, our community has encountered significant challenges.

The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the rising costs of living, has tested our resilience. Many of our neighbours are struggling to meet basic needs. Ontario, in particular, has seen its residents increasingly reliant on government and community supports to navigate the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Amid this backdrop, the significance of community support and social services has never been more apparent. But for many, knowing help is available and understanding how to navigate the system is half the battle.

This is where 211 Ontario comes in.

Sitting at the heart of our province’s community, social, government and health services, 211 is more than just a helpline — it’s a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Ontarians seeking assistance.

This service has been a beacon for many, guiding them through the complexity of available supports with a simple phone call. In 2023, 211 navigators connected nearly 300,000 people with services, from housing and health care to food and income.

These aren’t just numbers; they are individuals and families navigating through tough times, seeking a helping hand.

As the cost of living continues to rise, so too does the need for the services that 211 provides and those we connect people to in the community. As essentials become more unaffordable, demands for housing, food and other critical services skyrockets, amplifying the need for governmental intervention. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for 211’s services has increased, pushing the system to its operational limits. Despite this growing need, the operational funding for 211 has not seen any significant increase since 2009.

It would be naïve to assume our 2009 operating budget is sufficient to meet the current and future needs of Ontarians.

Research from McMaster University and the University of Toronto, along with reports from Feed Ontario and Daily Bread Food Bank, paint a grim picture of the postpandemic reality for Ontario’s most vulnerable. In Hamilton, the effects are particularly noticeable, with 34 per cent of households now using emergency food banks for the first time to fulfil their basic monthly needs. These families had not previously relied on the emergency food system for support. With food insecurity affecting millions and the demand for services like housing, health care and food assistance reaching new highs, the need for action is urgent.

Last month, more than 14,000 Ontarians contacted the 211 helpline, for help with housing, health services and food. These figures emphasize the pressing need for immediate action from the government.

Across Canada, in the first six months of 2023, 211 made over 40,000 referrals for both housing and mental-health supports. Housing referrals were up by 22 per cent. Mental-health referrals were up nine per cent.

This information should guide policy decisions, ensuring resources are judiciously allocated to address the most pressing needs, rather than overlooked.

We join our service delivery and United Way partners and countless social and community service organizations in imploring the government to strengthen our collective capacity to support Ontarians in need.

Ontario 211 Services is calling for more robust and sustainable funding from the provincial government to not only meet the existing demand but also to prepare for the challenges ahead. Immediate investments are crucial for upgrading our infrastructure, adopting new operating models and ensuring every Ontarian can easily navigate these services.

Long-term investments are equally important. They would enable the 211 Ontario system to expand access to its navigation services, provide deeper data insights for community needs, and enhance community outreach and engagement.

But this is about more than just 211. It’s about taking a holistic approach to our social services, integrating them more effectively with other provincial initiatives to create a seamless support network for all Ontarians. It’s about addressing the gaps in our current system and laying the foundation for a future where community supports are more accessible, more responsive and more connected to the needs of our residents.

The time to strengthen our social safety net is now. Let’s not wait for another report or another year of rising demand to convince us to act. Let’s do it now, together, for the sake of all Ontarians.

KAREN MILLIGAN IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ONTARIO 211 SERVICES.