Thank you, Madam Chair.
Through the 2007 budget, there was a commitment of $130 million over 10 years to establish the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and consistent with the Treasury Board submission, funds allocated to the commission are as follows: $5.5 million in its first year of operation; $7.5 million in 2008-09; and $12 million in 2009-10. We'll increase it to $15 million per year starting in 2010-11.
That approach, that kind of escalating step-wise approach, was established in recognition of the fact that the first three years would be start-up years for the commission. So these incremental increases will assist them in achieving their mandate by maximizing available resources.
The increased funding for this fiscal year will be used to further ongoing activities, including the development of a national mental health strategy, the launch of the anti-stigma, anti-discrimination campaign, and the establishment of a knowledge exchange centre. Funds are also being used to support advisory committee projects and a new “partners for mental health” strategy that was recently developed in response to the need for a strong social movement, volunteer-based, to transform the mental health system.