Mr. Speaker, this week is Mental Health Week and the Canadian Mental Health Association will strive to make all of us more aware of the issues related to this disease that often goes undiagnosed and untreated.
It is estimated that 20% of all Canadians will personally experience some mental illness in their lives. Nearly 4,000 Canadians die by suicide each year.
Last evening Canadians affected by mental illness displayed their art work on Parliament Hill. On behalf of the House I thank all the participants and personally acknowledge Kathleen Power, Gail Fox, Emily Durling, Guy Arsenault, Lawrence Sparks and Blandine Arsenault from New Brunswick. They truly are an inspiration for all of us.
I urge the Canadian government to finally follow through on some of the recommendations from the Canadian Mental Health Association. We need action on that file now, not later.