Question Period Note: Canada Mental Health Transfer

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

Our Government recognizes that mental health services need to be integrated as a full and equal part of our health care system.
That is why our Government is making historic investments of close to $200 billion over ten years to improve health care.
This includes $25 billion over ten years to provinces and territories through bilateral agreements for four shared priorities, including mental health and substance use.
We are also working with provinces and territories to advance key initiatives, such as launching 9-8-8 – the suicide prevention crisis line and to address the overdose crisis.
IF PRESSED ON LACK OF DEDICATED TRANSFER
Our government is committed to a comprehensive, compassionate and patient- centered approach, so that Canadians have access the services they need, whether physical or mental health care.
That is why our government is taking an integrated, inclusive approach to its investments, focused on four complementary shared priorities: expanding family health teams, supporting the health workforce, modernizing health systems and increasing access to mental health and substance use.
Together, these investments are supporting integration of mental health and substance use services within the health system, enabling access to the comprehensive care Canadians need.
IF PRESSED ON RESULTS
As part of the historic federal investments, provinces and territories will collect and report on three headline indicators for mental health and substance use services:
o Median wait times for community mental health and substance use services;
o Percentage of youth aged 12-25 with access to integrated youth services for mental health and substance use; and,
o Percentage of Canadians with a mental disorder who have unmet mental health care needs.
These indicators will allow better measurement of progress in increasing access to mental health and substance use services.

N/A

Budget 2023 confirmed the Government of Canada’s commitment to improve health care in Canada through additional investments in health care 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.
This investment builds on previous federal commitments for mental health and substance use, including an investment of $5 billion over ten years in Budget 2017 to provinces and territories to improve access to mental health and substance use services, coupled with agreement by federal, provincial and territorial Health Ministers on the importance of promoting mental wellness and addressing gaps in mental health and substance use services and supports, including for children and youth.
The government has also invested more than $1 billion to directly address the overdose crisis and toxic illegal drug supply. Budget 2023 provided a total of $359.2 million over five years to support a renewed Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy. The renewed strategy will continue to address both public health and public safety and guide the Government's work to save lives and protect the health of Canadians.
In addition, the government is taking a number of complementary measures to enhance access to needed mental health and substance use supports, including launching 9-8-8, the new suicide prevention crisis line.