Tackling a growing opioid crisis appears to be a priority issue at Queen’s Park.

Premier Kathleen Wynne has announced that her government will soon call a meeting of Ontario’s mayors to discuss the problem.

She announced the move after meeting yesterday with Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and pledging funding for his city’s $2.5-million opioid plan.

Toronto Mayor John Tory has spoken in recent months about confronting the growing opioid problem before it becomes a crisis in this city.

Meantime, the two Western provinces hardest hit by Canada’s overdose crisis are introducing new rules for prescribing opioids and other psycho-active drugs. Starting April 1st, physicians in Alberta will be required to first check a patient’s medication history before starting or renewing a prescription for these medications.

A similar guideline is being worked out in British Columbia.