Question Period Note: 3-Digit Number (9-8-8) For Suicide Prevention

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• Budget 2023 announced $158.4 million over 3 years to support the launch and implementation of 9-8-8, a three-digit number for suicide prevention and emotional distress.
• This funding will help ensure that 9-8-8 has the quality and capacity to meet the demand, connecting people to effective crisis support when they need it most.
• The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, with the support of the Public Health Agency of Canada, will lead the coordination of 9-8-8 service delivery, building on its experience delivering Talk Suicide Canada.
IF PRESSED ON TIMING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A THREE-DIGIT NUMBER
• The CRTC directed telecommunication service providers to be ready to roll out the 9-8-8 number across Canada on November 30, 2023.
• As highlighted in the CRTC’s decision, telecommunication service providers need up to 15 months to implement 9-8-8 dialing across Canada as the work involves:
o Introducing ten-digit local dialing in areas where seven-digit dialing is still the default.
o Making the necessary changes to networks to enable callers to dial or text 9 8-8.
IF PRESSED ON FUNDING TO SUPPORT A THREE-DIGIT NUMBER
• Budget 2023 announced $158.4 million over 3 years to support the launch and implementation of 9-8-8, a three-digit number for suicide prevention and emotional distress.
• 9-8-8 is expected to build upon the Talk Suicide Canada service, in partnership with other crisis services.
• While 9-8-8 is in development, we will continue to support Talk Suicide Canada and surge capacity for distress lines.
• Crisis support is currently available in Canada through:
o Talk Suicide Canada (1-833-456-4566)
o 1-866-APPELLE (277-3553) for people in Quebec
o Hope for Wellness for Indigenous peoples (1-855-242-3310)
o Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868)
o Provincial and local distress lines
o Trans Lifeline (1-877-330-6366)

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