Status of Women committee  I think when we invest in upstream interventions, in mental health promotion and mental illness prevention, we know the benefits are long-term. We know that supporting kids in school or post-secondary mental health first aid is all part of a continuum of supports we can provide that support people in achieving the best possible outcome from themselves.

Status of Women committee  Thanks very much. I would echo what my colleague, Mary Bartram, has said around a national mental health workforce strategy. We need to be looking now at the long term in terms of what supports need to be put in place to ensure that we're not only sustaining the workers we have right now—who are predominantly social workers in community—but also planning for the long term.

Status of Women committee  I can start, Ms. Larouche. I'm sorry that happened to you. As women around the room, as politicians, you've all experienced this deeply and personally. My contribution to the conversation would be to address the root cause, which is a lack of comprehensive sexuality education and mental health literacy starting in elementary school.

Status of Women committee  Thank you very much for the question, Ms. Vandenbeld. We know where the Canada health transfer goes. It goes from the federal coffers into provincial budgets, and it ultimately gets spent on services deemed medically necessary. Those are hospital-based care, psychiatrists who are in the community—but again, you need a referral to get to see a psychiatrist—and family doctors.

Status of Women committee  I would build on my colleague's comments by adding consideration around the social determinants of health. That's recognizing that, in order for us to access care, we also need income supports, reliable and safe housing, and food security. That's just to add that, often, mental health concerns and problematic substance use intersect when we don't have those needs met.

Status of Women committee  Thank you for your question, Mr. Serré. The reality is that there is community-based mental health and substance use health service delivery across the country right now. It's organizations like my colleague Abrar's that are creating service and meeting need because of the demand.

Status of Women committee  A health-based approach reduces criminalization, yes.

Status of Women committee  Thank you for your question, Ms. Gazan. Yes, we know that research demonstrates that the impact of the criminalization of substance use not only leads to deterring people—particularly marginalized, vulnerable people, including women, trans women and non-binary folks—from seeking care, but it also delays access to care and further pushes them underground, where they have fears of arrest, fears of criminalization and fears of child apprehension.

Status of Women committee  We know that taking a health-based approach leads to positive health outcomes, reduced arrests and reduced criminalization, which ultimately benefits society as a whole.

Status of Women committee  I'd like to clarify that it's a permanent transfer, not a one‑time transfer for five years. We hope it will begin next year, in the 2023 budget. We want to create a parallel track of funding, because we're seeing organizations having to apply for short-term grants, often pilot projects, that prevent them from being able to build sustainability, retain staff, recruit staff, and pay them adequately.

Status of Women committee  Thank you very much, Ms. Larouche. I agree completely. I think it's about scaling up and supporting existing initiatives that we know are evidence-based and that we know get the results we want to see. I will comment on two things. One is the salary equity issue. Pay equity is really an extreme priority across Canada.

Status of Women committee  Thank you. A reopening of the act and a clarification on the list of medically necessary services would go a long way to ensuring that the services that are now left out of the system are integrated. I mentioned counselling, psychotherapy, substance use health treatment—the services that we now rely on insurance or paying out of pocket for.

Status of Women committee  That would be a question for Minister Bennett.

Status of Women committee  I couldn't agree more. We've done much great work on raising awareness, breaking down stigma and addressing the discrimination associated with mental illness and substance use health, but the challenge really is in where you go for help. We shouldn't have a country where, in order to get the help you need, you need to be in crisis.

Status of Women committee  Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Good morning, esteemed colleagues. The Canadian Mental Health Association is the most established and extensive community mental health organization in Canada, providing advocacy, programs, supports and resources that prevent mental health problems and illnesses and that support recovery.