Ontario Investing in Mobile Crisis Response Teams to Better Protect Communities

September 14, 2025

Funding will help police in Kenora, Dryden and Rainy River support people experiencing a mental health crisis

Kenora — As part of its plan to protect Ontario and keep communities safe, the Ontario government is enhancing public safety by investing $716,000 over two years to support the mobile crisis response team led by Dryden OPP, Kenora OPP and Rainy River 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. 

“Our government is keeping residents safe and providing specialized mental health and addictions care throughout the Northwest,” said Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora—Rainy River and Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation. “In partnership with the Dryden, Kenora, and Rainy River OPP, this enhancement grant funding will ensure resources and capacity are available for trained crisis workers to continue connecting those in need with the right supports and care.”

“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—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, 36 police services and OPP detachments 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.