Question Period Notes

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In accordance with the Access to Information Act, the government proactively publishes the package of question period notes that were prepared by a government institution for the minister and that were in use on the last sitting day in June and December.

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Question Period Notes Dataset
5298 records
Dec 21, 2023

The 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline went live on November 30, 2023, providing support via voice and text, 24/7/365, in English and French. The Public Health Agency of Canada is providing $156 million over three years to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to administer the three-digit helpline. CAMH has recruited close to 40 provincial and local crisis and distress lines to participate in the 9-8-8 responder network.

Organization: Health Canada
Minister by name: Saks, Ya'ara (Hon.)
Minister by title: Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

Dec 21, 2023

Alcohol is the most commonly used psychoactive substance among people in Canada. Alcohol use is a leading risk factor for a broad range of diseases and conditions including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), heart disease, and cancer. While alcohol use is normalized in Canadian society, it accounts for substantial health and social costs.

Organization: Health Canada
Minister by name: Saks, Ya'ara (Hon.)
Minister by title: Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

Dec 21, 2023

Since its coming into force on October 17, 2018, the Cannabis Act has created a strict legal framework for controlling the production, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis across Canada.
The legislation is designed to keep cannabis out of the hands of youth and profits out of the pockets of organized crime by fostering a robust legal and regulated industry.

Organization: Health Canada
Minister by name: Saks, Ya'ara (Hon.)
Minister by title: Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

Dec 21, 2023

Federal support to improve access to mental health and substance use services.

Organization: Health Canada
Minister by name: Saks, Ya'ara (Hon.)
Minister by title: Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

Dec 21, 2023

Canada is experiencing an unprecedented and unrelenting rate of opioid-related overdose deaths and harms, due to the increasingly toxic illegal drug supply, that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the same time, we continue to see substantial harms and costs from other substances, including stimulants, tobacco, alcohol and combinations of substances (polysubstance use). It is estimated that in 2020, substance use cost Canadians more than $49 billion dollars and led to the loss of over 200 lives per day.
Recognizing the need for continued federal action to address this complex, changing crisis, the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, launched a renewed Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS) on October 30, 2023. This strategy outlines the Government of Canada’s updated plan to address the overdose crisis and other substance use-related harms in Canada.

Organization: Health Canada
Minister by name: Saks, Ya'ara (Hon.)
Minister by title: Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

Dec 21, 2023

In May 2022, in response to a request of the province of British Columbia (B.C.) and as one part of the province’s comprehensive response to addressing the overdose crisis, the former federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, Dr. Carolyn Bennett, granted a three-year exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) so that adults 18 years of age and older in the province will not face criminal charges for personal possession of small amounts of certain illegal drugs. This means that between January 31, 2023 and January 31, 2026, adults in B.C. found in possession of up to a cumulative 2.5 grams of certain illegal drugs for personal use, will not be arrested or charged with possession, or have their drugs seized. Instead, individuals will be provided with information on available services and, if requested, support in connecting with services. There are some exceptions to the exemption applying to certain locations including schools, child care facilities, and in motor vehicles. Based on feedback from key partners, including law enforcement, BC requested to prohibit possession at additional locations: playgrounds, splash pads, wading pools, skateparks. This amendment was granted in September 2023. BC has now tabled legislation to regulate the use of drugs listed in the exemption in certain public spaces including those added to the exemption as well as broader locations including parks, beaches, and bus stops. There is some concern that the exemption and subsequent adjustments are based on politics rather than data.

Organization: Health Canada
Minister by name: Saks, Ya'ara (Hon.)
Minister by title: Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

Dec 21, 2023

Indigenous Peoples face unique challenges to having fair and equitable access to quality and culturally safe health care services, including early childhood trauma, income, access to stable housing, and the historical and ongoing effects of colonization and the residential school system on First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
Budget 2023 confirmed the Government of Canada’s commitment to improve health care in Canada through a historic investment of close to $200 billion over ten years, of which $25B will flow to provinces and territories through tailored bilateral agreements. These bilateral agreements will support progress on four shared priorities to improve access to health care, with mental health addressed by or included within all four priorities for residents of PT jurisdictions, including Indigenous peoples.

Organization: Health Canada
Minister by name: Saks, Ya'ara (Hon.)
Minister by title: Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

Dec 21, 2023

Municipalities and communities across Canada are struggling to respond to the needs of individuals with complex needs tied to mental health, substance use and precarious housing or homelessness. A lack of appropriate, wrap-around health and social services tied to housing results in increased economic costs for these communities, and poor outcomes for individuals with complex needs. Collaboration between all levels of government and with stakeholders is required for better cross-sectoral integrated services

Organization: Health Canada
Minister by name: Saks, Ya'ara (Hon.)
Minister by title: Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

Dec 21, 2023

Canada is experiencing an unprecedented and unrelenting rate of opioid-related overdose deaths and harms, due to the increasingly toxic illegal drug supply, and has been exacerbated by that the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2016, more than 38,500 people have died of apparent opioid toxicity in Canada.
The 2021 Mandate letter for the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health includes a mandate priority to “Advance a comprehensive strategy to address problematic{sic} substance use in Canada, supporting efforts to improve public education to reduce stigma, and supporting provinces and territories and working with Indigenous communities to provide access to a full range of evidence-based treatment and harm reduction, as well as to create standards for substance use treatment programs.”

Organization: Health Canada
Minister by name: Saks, Ya'ara (Hon.)
Minister by title: Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

Dec 21, 2023

In collaboration with provincial and territorial partners, the Government of Canada is working to increase access to the full continuum of mental health and substance use services to better support the needs of Canadians.
Key federal actions include increasing investments to provinces and territories to improve access to mental health and substance use services, as well as on targeted initiatives on key priorities, such as integrated services for children and youth, suicide prevention, and addressing the overdose crisis and toxic drug supply.

Organization: Health Canada
Minister by name: Saks, Ya'ara (Hon.)
Minister by title: Minister of Mental Health and Addictions