Health Committee on April 16th, 2026

[Dr. Alexander Caudarella]

Yes. A few weeks ago, we signed a new agreement with Health Canada for the next five years. It really revolves around the idea that what we're doing right now is exactly what's set out in our mandate.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

Has there been a reduction in your funding?

[Dr. Alexander Caudarella]

No, the funding is still $10 million per year.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

Is it indexed?

[Dr. Alexander Caudarella]

No.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

That means it's decreased if it's not indexed.

[Dr. Alexander Caudarella]

We understand the financial challenges in the current environment. That is also why we work with the provinces. We also receive donations from various organizations. Our goal is to grow as an organization.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

Speaking of growth, I know there's a government that tells us it wants to build Canada strong. That's its new miracle mantra. The federal government itself acknowledged, on March 27, 2024, that the overdose crisis was one of the most serious public health crises Canada has ever faced. Now you're telling me that it has not indexed your funding and that you'll be able to tackle the most serious public health crisis Canada has ever faced. Are you miracle workers?

[Dr. Alexander Caudarella]

Of course, we always wish we could have more funding, but be that as it may, I want to make sure that every dollar CCSA receives is well spent. I want to prove that. Whether you give me $5 million or $15 million, I will do the best I can.

Your question gives me an opportunity to mention that we're currently conducting training in this area, and we're very pleased that Health Canada has provided us with funding to do so. We're conducting training sessions for the mining, and oil and gas sectors because, as you said, to build Canada strong, we need to support them.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

Listen, I'm trying to understand the inconsistency between what the government says and what it does. I understand that you're not responsible for that. As a legislator and someone who can shape public health policy in Canada, I'm just trying to figure out how a government can say this is the worst crisis in history but not even index your funding. I find it hard to believe that won't have an impact on your operations.

[Dr. Alexander Caudarella]

As I said, we always wish we could have more money. What's really helpful is that within our organization, we've made improvements to cut back on our spending in several areas, internal operations, financial systems and so forth. We're trying to do as much as we can while cutting back on our expenses. As we've already mentioned, we're trying to attract more and more scientists to the organization. That way, we can work in a more logical manner.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

I want to help you with your work. What tangible impacts will this have on your operations and programs?

[Dr. Alexander Caudarella]

Honestly, we're trying to do more. I know you want—

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

I'm trying to understand. Right now, I'm having trouble understanding.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

The time is up in about 10 seconds, so please wrap up.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

I'd like to have a written response, since I can't get a clear, comprehensive answer.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much.

I'll now go to Mr. Strauss for five minutes, please.

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Dr. Caudarella, may I begin by saying how much I appreciate the expertise and enthusiasm you bring to your testimony? It seems as though you're a very data-driven guy. I am too, so I appreciate that.

In preparation for the study, I was trying to find substance disorder rates for Canada as a whole, and when I was doing a web search for that, your organization came up, so you obviously have a role to play in coming up with it. I was concerned, however, because on your website I found a November 2022 paper on the rate of opioid use disorder, and to my read of it, it had data up to 2019. I also found a paper on the use of methamphetamine. This report was dated 2020, and had data, as far as I could tell, up to 2017.

Do you have more up-to-date data on your website? Is it on your website, and I'm just missing it?

[Dr. Alexander Caudarella]

We're in the process of rejuvenating parts of our website, and it's a work in progress. It's something we've brought in-house to try to save some funds, but the team there is doing a fantastic job with it.

As for your question, yes, we do. We have prevalence estimates up to the end of 2024. They are available directly on our website or through csuch.ca, which is a microsite we've set up. There is a prevalence tool that is interactive; not only can people look at the rates of stimulant and opioid use, but they can also break things up by province, men, women and different things to get the data that's most helpful.

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

Can I get the link?

[Dr. Alexander Caudarella]

Absolutely.

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

I failed to find it myself. Can you tell me, is the prevalence of substance use disorder in Canada broadly going up or down?

[Dr. Alexander Caudarella]

One thing we're more confident in is how much use there is. The problem with substance use disorder is that how it's diagnosed, who diagnoses it and how surveys are done have changed over time. This is why we've tried to make different pictures, assessments and assumptions around it.

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

Give me your broad sense. I understand that you should slice and dice it. I'm not going to “gotcha” and say, what about this paper?

I'm asking about your broad sense as a clinician and as a leader in the field. Is this trending up, or is it trending down?

[Dr. Alexander Caudarella]

I think it's an excellent question. Because the assessment rates are changing so much, it is a hard question, and I can come back with a more specific written answer. However, for opioids we believe it to be relatively flat, if decreasing a bit. We're concerned that there's potentially increasing use amongst young people, but there's potentially less substance use disorder in others.

We're concerned about substance use disorder rates that are increasing, for example, for cannabis in older adults.