FREDERICTON, NB – Green Party Leader Elizabeth May today called for new and stronger support for mental health care in Canada. The party’s 2019 platform includes a progressive funding regime and a focus on new aspects of mental illness related to climate change. It will also create a new national dementia strategy.
At the core of the party’s policy proposals is mental health support for those who need it most. Addressing mental health in Canada will increase the aggregate level of happiness, and increase worker productivity. However, Canadians are increasingly facing new anxieties surrounding political instability and the looming climate crisis.
“Canadians are worried about the future of their country and the world. But there are so many barriers keeping people – particularly Indigenous Peoples and some members of the LGBTQI2+ community – from accessing the support they need,” said Ms. May. “It’s time to make mental health a primary health concern.”
Green MPs will:
- Prioritize the expansion of mental health and rehabilitation services through the Canada Health Accord
- Create a national dementia strategy to adequately fund research and supports to treat the disease
- Reduce wait times for mental health programs and gender-affirming surgeries, hormone blockers, etc.
- Establish a new funding program within Health Canada to create new peer-led LGBTQI2+ mental health programs and counselling
- Ensure Indigenous Peoples receive the health care they require without any bureaucratic delays and fully uphold Jordan’s Principle
- Create Indigenous-led healing programs using traditional knowledge systems
- Fund more mental health services in rural and remote areas
- Look into climate-change related mental illnesses – caused by natural disasters, extreme weather, displacement, etc. – and fund ways to address both the diseases and their cause
- Treat the opioid crisis as a health-care issue, rather than a criminal issue
- Mobilize mental health organizations to prevent illness and suicide caused by anxieties surrounding social issolation, expensive housing, the climate crisis, the rise of white ethno-nationalism, etc.
- Create a Guaranteed Livable Income program to ensure no one goes homeless while their mental illness is being treated
The Canada Health Act provides universal primary health care for all Canadians. However, lagging funding and privately run facilities are putting pressure on this system, and undermining its fairness and efficacy. At the same time, climate issues like poor air quality, water contamination and natural disasters are increasing strain on the already overtaxed system. The Green Party has the best plan to ensure a happy, healthy country as it moves into a new decade.
“Universal healthcare is under attack,” said Ms. May. “As Canadians, we pride ourselves on our compassion and our social safety nets, and yet politicians balk at the notion of expanding services or committing to make it competitive with the increasingly large private operations opening around the country,” May said. “The Green Party will fight for mental health care for all Canadians.”
For more information or to arrange an interview contact:
Rosie Emery
Press Secretary
613-562-4916x206
rosie.emery@greenparty.ca