Thousands of Canadians die each year from opioid overdoses. As the crisis spreads, cities and local first responders are on the front lines, reviving people from overdoses, distributing overdose-prevention drugs and educating the public about the dangers of illegal opioid use. And municipalities are piloting and implementing community-based solutions.

Together with our Big City Mayors’ Caucus, we are leading the call for a coordinated national response by all orders of government. And we have seen progress, including steps toward a national standard for overdose data, a meaningful federal response on harm reduction and emergency funds for treatment.

Our top priority is expanding access to a variety of treatment options. Reviving people from overdoses and sending them back to the streets or their homes is not a long-term solution. All orders of government need to work together to build real pathways to treatment, making the most of frontline expertise at every step along the way.


Featured news & resources

See featured resources, news, events and training related to Opioid crisis.
Resources
Canada’s recovery hinges on tackling transit crunch

Halifax Mayor Mike Savage and Toronto Mayor John Tory

News
FCM welcomes urgent federal support for public transit

FCM President, Joanne Vanderheyden, issued the following statement on the announcement by the government of Canada of urgent federal support for public transit.

News
Big-City Mayors: Budget 2022 and transit support critical for Canadians and recovery

With a key federal budget on the horizon, big city mayors met with key Cabinet ministers to discuss cities’ priorities. The mayors are clear: this budget is a critical moment to tool up cities to deliver the recovery Canadians deserve.

News
Big city mayors highlight urgent need for climate action and declare support for the Cities Race to Zero Campaign

FCM's Big City Mayors’ Caucus Chair Mike Savage issued the following statement ahead of the United Nations climate change conference (COP26).

News
Let’s drive the recovery: big-city mayors

After an intense federal election, Canada’s big-city mayors meet today with the Prime Minister and others to advance constructive proposals to drive the strong, inclusive recovery Canadians are counting on through federal-municipal partnership.

News
Municipal leaders call for action on Canada’s residential schools legacy

In wake of the tragic discovery of the remains of 215 children found on the former site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School, FCM and its Big City Mayors’ Caucus recommitted to urgently advancing the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

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3,996
Canadians who died from opioid overdoses in 2017
92%
2017 overdose deaths ruled accidental
$231M
5-year funding in Federal Budget 2018 to help tackle the crisis
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Explore the topics we’re working on related to the opioid crisis.

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