Trudeau’s budget misses the mark on supporting Canadians’ mental health 

April 21, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, ON – Todd Doherty, Conservative Special Advisor for Mental Health and Wellness, issued the following statement:

“With the release of the first federal budget in two years, Justin Trudeau has finally acknowledged Canada’s worsening mental health crisis, but continues to fail to take real, effective action to help Canadians.

“Conservatives have said consistently that mental health is health. There is no health without mental health, and it should be treated with the respect and funding support it deserves.

“Despite receiving unanimous support in Parliament last year, the three-digit national suicide prevention hotline still has not been implemented. In the half of a trillion dollars of debt promised, there is no funding for this vital lifeline nor any commitment to get it done. Instead, it proposes yet more consultations by the CRTC.

“The time to act is now. Under the leadership of Erin O’Toole, a Conservative government will prioritize the implementation of a national three-digit suicide prevention hotline, we will boost funding to the provinces for health care, and we will incentivize employers to provide mental health coverage to their employees.

“Canada’s Conservatives have a clear plan to secure the future for Canadians. We will continue to push the Liberals to take action to support mental health and well-being, especially during this crisis.”