Ontario investing in mobile crisis response team to better protect communities in Bruce County

As part of its plan to protect Ontario and keep communities safe, the provincial government is enhancing public safety by investing a total of $242,796.09 over two years to support the mobile crisis response team led by the South Bruce OPP. The funding will enable 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.

“I’m pleased the South Bruce OPP, which provides policing services to Kincardine, Huron-Kinloss, Arran-Elderslie, Brockton, and South Bruce, will be benefiting from the mobile crisis response team enhancement grant,” said Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson. “It will enable officers to work closely with mental health professionals when responding to calls involving individuals in distress. This investment will help ensure people in crisis receive the right support at the right time, while also giving our officers the supports they need to serve our communities safely and effectively. This funding is an important investment in support of strong and safe rural communities across the riding.”

“Mental health and addictions are often a factor for our local first-responders,” said Bruce County warden Luke Charbonneau. “This investment from the province helps to provide the tools for the de-escalation of complex situations and will contribute to the safety and well-being of our community."

"This grant will enable the OPP to expand its mobile crisis response teams across the province, allowing us to improve pathways and connections to necessary services for those experiencing crisis,” said inspector Keegan Wilcox, detachment commander of the South Bruce OPP. “When police and health partners can continue working together through initiatives like this, safety is improved and we see better outcomes for everyone."

“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 Solicitor General Michael 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 — which 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, 36 police services and OPP detachments will receive approximately $9-million through this grant to increase the capacity of mobile crisis response teams across the province.



Gathered in Walkerton for the presentation of the mobile crisis response team enhancement grant to the South Bruce OPP, are Bruce County warden Luke Charbonneau (left), Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers, South Bruce OPP detachment commander inspector Keegan Wilcox, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, Brockton mayor Chris Peabody and South Bruce OPP constable Bourgon