The following is a statement from Camille Quenneville, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario, in reaction to today’s provincial budget.
“CMHA Ontario welcomes today’s provincial budget as it re-affirms the government’s commitment to providing greater support for people living with a mental health and addictions challenge.
“For the first time in many years, the issue of mental health and addictions is highlighted significantly in the budget. This comes a week after the government made a historic $1.2 billion investment to enhance a mental health and addictions sector that has been chronically underfunded.
“The government’s investment in our sector aims to improve services across the lifespan, meaning more children, adults and seniors may get the help they need when they need it. The investment also aims to create better pathways to service, a longstanding challenge for those individuals and families seeking support.
“The government has stated that upon passage of the budget, it will work diligently to implement new investments before the legislature breaks for a provincial election campaign. We call on all parties to keep mental health and addictions a key election issue. Our sector has been neglected for so long that a significant investment such as this cannot be lost if we want to develop an accessible and integrated mental health and addictions system to help all Ontarians.”
– Camille Quenneville, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
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To arrange an interview, please contact:
Joe Kim
Director, Communications
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
416-977-5580 ext. 4141
jkim@ontario.cmha.ca