Madam Chair, I want to thank the member for his incredible work and advocacy in mental health. We can tell by his remarks and his speech that he is passionate and knowledgeable about the subject.
I am so thrilled he is talking about men's mental health because we know men struggle just as much as women do. Oftentimes society stigmatizes men who are struggling. It is harder for them to reach out.
It is harder for men to access services for a whole bunch of reasons, but we have to stand together. This is a perfect example of exactly that, a man advocating for better men's mental health. I thank the member for highlighting the need for men's mental health services.
It is very important that we better understand mental health and substance use because this is one of the areas where I think Canadians struggle. Sometimes they get access and the help they need, but access does not always lead to the kinds of improvements they need in their mental health or the mental health of their loved ones.
As a member of Parliament and a candidate in a federal election, I hear many stories when I knock on doors to talk to people about the things that concern them or they wish were better in their lives. Frequently, one of the things people talk about is access to mental health care.
That is why our government has been focused so significantly on supporting the provinces and territories with fiscal transfers dedicated to mental health services, as well as funding for innovative and timely research through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. It is a $13.5-million investment to date to provide evidence to decision-makers on mental health responses in the context of COVID-19.
This is important because we are seeing a worsening of people's mental health and substance use in this time of extreme stress, grief and loneliness. Combined with Wellness Together Canada, the investment through the safe restart agreement, we have already made investments in the capacity of the provinces and territories to deliver on mental health services.
With our commitment to supporting virtual care, and ensuring Canadians have free access to professionals through Wellness Together, we are taking this situation very seriously. I thank the member for his advocacy and expertise in this area.