NDP fighting for mental health services for Canadians – while the Liberals maintain the status quo

OTTAWA – Today, Canada’s NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and NDP Mental Health and Harm Reduction Critic Gord Johns called on the government to provide desperately needed mental health supports for Canadians. People are suffering because they don’t have access to the mental health services they need. New Democrats are calling on the Liberals to invest $4.5 billion over the next five years to improve mental health care services. This support would improve access and create a plan to address the long wait times for mental health services people are currently facing.

“Many Canadians are struggling with their mental health and the rising cost of living is only increasing the stress people are feeling. Canadians with mental health issues are anxious and overwhelmed, and they can’t access the supports they need,” said Singh. “People are forced to wait months to see a mental health professional, while the government does nothing to help. With no other options people in mental health crises are relying on our already overcrowded emergency rooms for help. This is wrong. Mental health care is health care. The Liberal government has a responsibility to help Canadians, but instead they just keep dragging their feet while Canadians are paying the price.”

Fewer than one in three Canadians experiencing mental health problems able to access services and the Mental Health Commission of Canada has identified financial constraints and waitlists as key barriers. The Liberals have maintained cuts to the Health Care Transfer that the Harper Conservatives implemented. In the last election, Justin Trudeau promised $4.5 billion over five years to improve mental health services but he still hasn’t delivered on this commitment.

Today, New Democrats are urging the Liberal government to finally take action for Canadians in desperate need of reliable mental health services. New Democrats are also asking Justin Trudeau’s government to immediately remove the GST on therapy services so Canadians seeking support pay less for the help they need. Right now, among providers of mental health services in Canada, Counselling Therapists/Psychotherapists are the only mental health professionals required to charge GST/HST.

“While the Liberals keep delaying, families are being forced to watch their loved ones’ health deteriorate. In some cases, people are forced to bury their loved ones because they didn't get the help they needed. That’s devastating and even more so because it doesn’t need to be that way,” said Johns. “It’s time to treat the mental health crisis with the urgency it requires – that’s why we are calling on the Liberals to address the outrageous wait times to access mental health services, deliver the funding the frontline organizations have been pleading for, and help everyday people get the help they need. New Democrats are fighting for meaningful healthcare investments, so you and your family have the respect and support you deserve.”