Provincial and territorial ministers hold inaugural meeting to advance mental health, addiction, and recovery priorities

Press Release

Banff, Alberta – Provincial and territorial (PT) ministers responsible for mental health, addiction and recovery met today to share information and best practices regarding their shared priorities and strengthen collaboration on issues critical to the well-being of Canadians.

Ministers discussed the growing challenges and opportunities in communities across Canada and committed to collaborative action on several key priorities:

• Continuing to build mental health and addiction system capacity, including to address service gaps, and strengthen primary and acute care supports;

• Sharing information and approaches to support individuals with serious substance use or mental health issues who may pose a risk to themselves or others;

• Working in partnership with Indigenous governments, Indigenous-led organizations and communities, including to advocate for appropriate federal funding and supports for Indigenous-led culturally responsive services mental health and addiction programs in Indigenous communities, which continue to be disproportionately impacted by mental health and addiction issues, particularly the addiction crisis;

• Seeking meaningful and long-term funding partnership with the federal government, including the renewal of existing mental health bilateral agreements, and for capital and operational investments to better support individuals with complex mental health and/or addiction issues;

• Advocating for federal collaboration and funding for integrated youth services, and respect for the models developed by each province and territory regarding an approach to child and youth needs with an increased focus on early intervention; and

• Advocating for federal research funding, particularly through pan-Canadian Health Organizations, to be in alignment with provincial and territorial priorities to ensure research drives evidence-based service delivery that meets provincial and territorial needs.

To enhance collaboration and leadership, ministers announced the creation of a Provincial-Territorial Forum of Ministers Responsible for Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery. This new forum will recognize the need for increased discussion and collaboration on PT policies and programs that address mental health and addiction issues, as well as moving individuals towards recovery across the continuum of care.

PT Ministers remain committed to working collaboratively with the federal government to advance PT-driven initiatives. Recognizing that health, including mental health, addiction and recovery, is a PT responsibility, ministers view this as an opportunity for better alignment between federal policy funding and provincial and territorial priorities and investments, ensuring responsiveness to the diverse regional contexts and populations we collectively serve.

Quotes:

“We are united in our commitment to improving mental health and addiction outcomes for all Canadians. The federal government has a role to play to support services dedicated to Indigenous communities and to support provincial and territorial initiatives to sustaining and expanding the services our communities rely on. Provincial and territorial ministers share the same objectives to strengthen supports, close service gaps, and ensure that all Canadians – especially those most at risk – receive the care they need.”

Rick Wilson, Alberta Minister of Mental Health and Addiction and chair of the Provincial-Territorial Forum of Ministers Responsible for Mental Health, Addiction, and Recovery

Media Contact:

Nathaniel Dueck
Nathaniel.Dueck@gov.ab.ca
587-336-6182
Press Secretary, Alberta Mental Health and Addiction

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