Thank you, Melissa.
With respect to access to mental health care services, there are still significant barriers in Ontario and across Canada. Recent data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information reveals that 41% of adults aged 18 or older who were diagnosed with mental health disorders say that their needs were only partially met or were completely unmet. These challenges are relevant not just on a patient level but also when looking at overall system readiness.
For example, in 2024, the OHA commissioned a study with the University of Toronto that examined the expected impact of chronic illness on the health care system in the next 20 years. Mood and anxiety disorders and substance use disorders were noted to be contributing to the rise in chronic disease among young Canadians. This means additional strain on the health system and an increased need for improved access to mental health care.
Additionally, we heard that existing challenges to accessing care can complicate the provision of MAID. They also present challenges for health care providers in eligibility assessments. Health care providers must be assured that MAID is not chosen by patients simply because they cannot access necessary mental health care.
Clinical challenges caused by inadequate access to mental health care can cause further system impacts. For example, a patient might be found to be ineligible for MAID but continue to have issues accessing mental health supports. Practitioners may be required to address access issues in the MAID application process through facilitating consultations or seeking expedited treatment for applicants, which may be the best course of action for a particular patient, but this could also create the risk that the process becomes a means to access mental health care more quickly, which can then further increase inequities in accessing care.
It's also important to consider equity in access to mental health care. As we know, systemic inequalities such as racism, poverty, homelessness and others can worsen mental health. For example, Statistics Canada reported in 2024 that among indigenous people who required or were seeking mental health care, the vast majority—approximately three-quarters—reported that their needs were unmet or partially met.
The federal government recognizes the significant barriers facing indigenous people in accessing mental health supports. These barriers are rooted in systemic racism, geographic location and other structural factors. Past consultation by the federal government with indigenous people on MAID underscored the need to improve access to mental health services and the need for further consultation on MAID expansion.
Enhancing access to mental health care would help ensure that MAID is truly informed and a voluntary choice. We believe that additional consultations should continue before the government makes any decisions to move forward with an expansion.
I'll hand it back to Melissa now for some more information about system capacity challenges.