Ontario Investing in Mobile Crisis Response Team in Niagara to Better Protect Communities

February 20, 2026

Niagara Falls – As part of its plan to protect Ontario and keep communities safe, the Ontario government is enhancing public safety by investing $240,000 over two years in continued support for the Mobile Crisis Response Team of the Niagara Regional Police Service.

“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 Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“This important funding for specialized interventions to people experiencing a mental health crisis will help support frontline officers right across the region.”

Funding through the Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant of the province enables local 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.

“Every day, our members meet individuals and families at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives,” said Bill Fordy, Chief of Police of the Niagara Regional Police Service.

“These calls require more than a response – they require compassion and the right expertise at exactly the right time. This investment strengthens our ability to bring those 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.”

“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 Hon. Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General.

“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.”

For 2025-26 and 2026-27, thirty-six police services and Ontario Provincial Police detachments across the province 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.