Question Period Note: 3-Digit Hotline

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• Our Government remains committed to implementing, and fully funding a national, three-digit mental health crisis and suicide prevention hotline.

• The CRTC is currently considering public input from consultations that have now been extended until January 31st to accommodate additional interventions in formats more accessible for persons with disabilities, such as video.

• We understand the urgency of implementing this crisis line and we will ensure we get it right, including that it has the capacity to connect people to the most appropriate support in the most appropriate way.

Over the past 10 years, there has been an average of 4,000 deaths by suicide per year in Canada, which resulted in 10 to 12 people that died by suicide every day. Suicide is the 9th leading cause of death among all Canadians, and the 2nd leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 34, behind unintentional injuries (Statistics Canada). There is no single cause that fully explains or predicts suicide; a combination of factors are associated with suicide, such as mental illness, physical health, personal issues and loss, childhood abuse and neglect, and exposure to trauma.
Motion 174 – A National Suicide Prevention Action Plan: In April 2018, MP Charlie Angus (NDP, Timmins-James Bay) sponsored motion M-174, calling for the Government to establish a national suicide prevention action plan. On May 8, 2019, parliamentarians voted unanimously in favour of M-174, though it is non-binding. The proposed actions in the plan are aligned with the Framework. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) will facilitate coordination and collaboration on elements of the action plan with relevant departments, agencies and key stakeholders through its convening role on the Framework. An update on M-174 was included in the December 2020 Progress Report on the Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention.
3-Digit Suicide Prevention National Telephone Line – 9-8-8 Campaign in Canada: On December 11, 2020, parliamentarians voted unanimously in favour of a motion sponsored by MP Todd Doherty (Conservative, British Columbia) calling on the federal government to act immediately to set up a national 988 number to consolidate all existing suicide crisis numbers.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is responsible for establishing any three digit abbreviated codes. The CRTC launched a regulatory proceeding on June 3, 2021 to consult on a proposed three-digit hotline. The public consultation closed on September 1, 2021, resulting in 247 interventions submitted by stakeholders and members of the general public. These interventions are currently available online, and parties were able to file replies to these interventions before October 1, 2021. Following a petition from stakeholders representing persons with disabilities, the CRTC reopened the consultation in November 2021 to allow for new interventions in accessible formats, such as video. The public consultation will remain open until January 31, 2022. These interventions and replies will become part of the public record that the Commission will examine to make its determinations. The CRTC is unable to comment on anticipated timelines for releasing these determinations. As highlighted in Budget 2021, the government is committed to ensuring funds are available to support the creation of this three-digit number.
COVID-19 Mental Health Crisis Supports: Through the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, the Government of Canada announced a $50 million investment to bolster the capacity of distress centres. PHAC is administering an initial round of grants to 57 distress centres in winter/spring 2021-22. A second solicitation, which closed on October 6, 2021, for recipients with remaining or emerging needs, or for eligible organizations not included in the first round of funding. Funding applications are now under review. In addition, $2 million of this funding will support the development of resources to assist distress centres in meeting the needs of diverse and vulnerable populations.
Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health and Survey on Mental Health and Stressful Events: PHAC is currently conducting surveillance to understand the impact of COVID-19 on suicide and self-harm. The 2020 Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health has shown that during the early stage of the pandemic, the percentage of Canadians reporting suicide ideation since the pandemic began was not significantly different from the percentage reporting in 2019. Risk factors of reporting suicide ideation during the pandemic included being under 65, Canadian-born, a frontline worker, reporting pandemic-related income/job loss or loneliness/isolation, experiencing a highly stressful/traumatic event during one's lifetime, and having lower household income and educational attainment. Continued surveillance of suicide and risk/protective factors is needed to inform suicide prevention efforts.

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