Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, colleagues. It is really an honour to be joining you this evening to talk about a subject that, I'm sure for everyone around this table, is top of mind when it comes to mental health.
Mr. Chair, as you know, Canada is facing one of the most serious public health crises in our country's history. Since my appointment, I have been listening to provinces and territories, indigenous communities, researchers, health stakeholders and people with lived and living experience in order to gain a deeper understanding of the issue and to chart a path forward. Every death due to this terrible crisis leaves someone behind. We all know a friend, a partner, a parent, a child, a co-worker or a neighbour.
As Minister, I have heard heartbreaking stories of addiction and loss, as have many of my colleagues here tonight. At the same time, I have also heard inspiring stories of support, of recovery and of hope. People on the ground are working relentlessly to fight this crisis, and the federal government needs to be there to support them.
Canadians must have access to a full range of services and tools to address substance use. Harm reduction as well as treatment and recovery are health care. Everyone's journey is different, and we know there is no one-size-fits-all recovery, and we can't help someone who is dead from an overdose.
I know that some members and I may not always agree on everything, but I am absolutely convinced, Mr. Chair, that everyone at this table shares the objective of wanting to save lives.
This week, we launched the renewed Canadian drugs and substances strategy. The CDSS presents a whole-of-government approach to address substance use. The expert task force called for bold actions and significant policy change, and we are delivering on this each and every day.
I would also like to point out—I know my colleague Minister Holland mentioned this—the Government of Canada's $200-billion historic investment in health care, which was announced this year. Mental health and substance use is one of the four shared priorities and will be embedded in the three others, because we can't have health without mental health. In addition, we continue to support community projects that address those issues. In fact, we recently launched the 2023 national call for proposals for the substance use and addictions program to help address substance use harms and improve health outcomes for Canadians.
As we all know, the past few years have been extremely difficult for most Canadians, and we can't look away from that fact. The COVID-19 pandemic affected individuals and families across the country, and we are still living through an exceptionally difficult time with many people experiencing stresses related to war, geopolitical unrest and climate change, not to mention the financial worries. Mental health is now a topic of conversation in almost every home in this country. It's now easier to share that it's okay to not be okay, but there are many challenges ahead.
We need to do better in order to create completely accessible care and to remove barriers to care and services, and that includes reducing the stigma that is still prevalent amongst our communities. Negative and often unfair beliefs related to mental illness and substance use is one of the many obstacles being faced by people looking for support, and it can prevent some people from even asking for the help they need.
Marginalized groups often experience more stigma or prejudice, which puts them at an increased risk of harms. They include our youth, indigenous peoples, racialized communities and the 2SLGBTQ+ individuals who are part of our communities as well. That is why we are committed to increasing access to the full continuum of mental health and substance use services through a compassionate lens and a human-centred approach.
Later this month, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, CAMH, will begin operating the 988 line, which is Canada's three-digit number for suicide prevention and emotional distress support. This number will make it easier for people to access the help they need when they need it the most.
Mr. Chair, together we can save lives, but we do need to learn from each other to ensure there is a comprehensive, evidence-based—and I will use this word a lot—compassionate approach. Together we can create real systemic change and can give every person in Canada the support they need to live a long and healthy life.
I look forward to your questions.
