CMHA applauds new federal ministers for mental health, addictions and housing

TORONTO (ONTARIO) Oct. 26, 2021—Margaret Eaton, National CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), today issued the following statement in response to the new federal cabinet:

“CMHA is delighted that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has created two new ministerial portfolios to tackle mental health, addictions and housing—critical issues that will require a strong cabinet focus to transform mental health care and support in Canada once and for all.

We congratulate the Honourable Carolyn Bennett on her new role as Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and look forward to working with her to address long-standing gaps in Canada’s mental health system.

We are also pleased to see the government recognize the importance of the right to housing as we look ahead to national recovery. We congratulate the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, new Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, and look forward to working with him to ensure access to supportive housing for people with mental illnesses and substance use problems so that they have safe places to live as they recover.

Federal leadership is critical to make meaningful progress on mental health in every community, including for the most vulnerable people in Canada. The pandemic has shown the need for significant resources and political will to address mental health. We have a unique opportunity in this moment in time to address long-standing gaps in our mental health system: from the lack of timely access and culturally sensitive care, to care gaps in remote locations and patchwork programs. Everyone has a right to access mental health care wherever they are, whenever they need it.

We look forward to working with these new ministers and their Cabinet colleagues to improve mental health outcomes for all Canadians.”

About the Canadian Mental Health Association 

Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is the most established, most extensive community mental health organization in Canada. Through a presence in more than 330 communities across every province and one territory, CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive. For more information, please visit www.cmha.ca.

For further information, please contact:

Katherine Janson
National Director of Communications
Canadian Mental Health Association
kjanson@cmha.ca
Cell: 647-717-8674