ONTARIO: Dan Carter, once a drug addict living on the streets, is now the mayor of Oshawa, Ontario, drawing from his darkest times to address a housing crunch and addiction crisis plaguing his community.
“I truly believe in my heart of hearts that everyone is worth saving,” says Carter, reflecting on his own struggles with cocaine and alcohol addiction in the past. His personal experiences drive his commitment to addressing complex issues like housing, homelessness, and addiction.
In 2018, Carter was elected mayor of Oshawa as authorities and residents started taking notice of rising opioid overdoses and homelessness. He now advocates for a national state of emergency in Canada to prioritize affordable housing and addiction treatment.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Oshawa saw a significant increase in homelessness, with the number of homeless people skyrocketing from 45 to over 300. Chris Harris, a homeless man in Oshawa, highlights the challenges of finding affordable housing in the city.
To combat these issues, Carter initiated innovative programs in Oshawa, including a regional reception center providing meals, temporary accommodations, and comprehensive medical and psychological care. He also fostered collaboration between first responders and social workers and implemented programs to collect used syringes to tackle drug-related challenges.
Carter’s initiatives are deeply rooted in his own journey of recovery. “By the time I was 31, I was mentally, emotionally, physically, financially, and spiritually broken,” he reveals. “Addiction took me to every dark place you could possibly imagine.”
Born in New Brunswick, Carter overcame a difficult childhood marked by personal tragedies, learning disabilities, and a history of trauma. After hitting rock bottom, he turned his life around with the support of his sister, entering detox treatment and ultimately finding a path to recovery.
Despite his transformation, Carter still faces challenges due to his past, including travel restrictions to the United States because of his criminal record stemming from a youthful offense.
Now, Carter channels his gratitude for the help he received into his work as mayor, striving to extend a helping hand to those in need. While acknowledging the persistence of challenges, Carter remains optimistic about the future. “We can do better than what we’re doing today,” he asserts.
