Maggie Chi
Don Valley North, Ontario · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today with deep sadness to advise the House that Constable Marc Pinizzotto of the Toronto Police Service emergency task force was killed in the line of duty. For 18 years, Constable Pinizzotto served with courage and commitment, putting himself in harm's way to make Toronto a safer place.”
“Mr. Speaker, this is an important issue. We have worked on many fronts to address many issues in this respect, and I look forward to working with the member as well. Through budget 2025, we have made investments in health research through CIHR, and we will continue to do that.”
“Mr. Speaker, it was 47 years ago that The Log Driver's Waltz was first screened and won a best animated film award at an international film festival in France. The Log Driver's Waltz is a Canadian folk song originally written by Wade Hemsworth and performed by The Mountain City Four.”
“Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, the minister has answered this question many times in question period and many times during committee work. We have been very open and transparent. Infoway has dismissed the CEO. We supported that decision.”
“Mr. Speaker, as the Conservatives farm outrage, we are working hard on behalf of Canadians. I am glad that member brought it up. That party has spent over 20 hours obstructing a Liberal motion to study HIV in Manitoba. How can they claim they care about Canadians' health when they block motions like that?”
“Mr. Speaker, the allegations against the previous vendor for the vaccine injury program were absolutely unacceptable. That is why we made the administration of the program internal, to ensure money is spent appropriately.”
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“It has the support of every single premier in this country, from the NDP premier in B.C. to the Conservative premiers in Alberta and Ontario and the nationalist premier in Quebec to the Liberal premier in New Brunswick, so why not deliver real tools to provinces and law enforcement, instead of advancing a bill that would duplicate what already exists and introduce unnecessary risks? We all want safer communities and a justice system that works, but we must be honest about what will achieve that goal. Bill C-14 would strengthen bail in a way that is targeted, practical and constitutional. It reflects collaboration, not division. It would deliver results, not rhetoric. Bill C-242 would not meet those standards. For those reasons, I urge all members of this House to support the serious and responsible work already undertaken in Bill C-14 .”
“This brings us to the broader contrast. Bill C-14 is the product of collaboration. Bill C-14 reflects input from the provinces, police, victim groups and experts, and it would deliver targeted reforms that are practical, constitutional and ready to implement. Bill C-242 , in contrast, reflects a different approach. It is broad where it should be precise, it is rigid where it should allow judicial discretion, and in key areas, it proposes measures that legal experts, civil liberty organizations and constitutional lawyers would immediately flag as problematic. Canadians expect better. They expect us to do the hard work of getting this right. Let me say this directly to my colleagues opposite. If the goal is truly to strengthen bail and protect communities, then the path forward is clear. Bill C-14 is already before the Senate.”
“Creating different bail rules for non-citizens risks violating these protections. It would open the door to legal challenges that could strike down these provisions entirely. There is another concern here as well, one that goes beyond legal principles and speaks to who we are as a country. We must be very careful not to send the message that people who are not born in Canada are somehow more likely to be a threat to public safety. That is simply not true, and it risks unfairly stigmatizing entire communities that contribute every day to the strength of this country. Public safety is not advanced by dividing Canadians or by casting suspicion on newcomers. It is advanced by targeting real risks by focusing on behaviours, rather than identity. That is the standard Canadians expect from us, and it is one we must uphold.”
“It would mean more hearings, more delays, more pressure on already overburdened provincial courts, more strain on prosecutors and police resources and, most importantly, fewer guilty pleas. Provinces have been clear that they do not have the capacity for this kind of reform. Bill C-14 recognizes that reality and would maintain the existing framework while clearly guiding peace officers and the courts so that individuals who pose a real risk are not released. (1105) Let me now turn to one of the most troubling aspects of Bill C-242 , which is its treatment of non-citizens. The bill proposes mandatory passport surrender and distinct bail conditions based solely on citizenship status, but we are not the United States. In Canada, the charter guarantees “equality before the law”.”
“It would target the real problem by introducing reverse onus provisions for specific high-risk offences identified by police, provinces and municipalities, such as violent auto theft linked to organized crime, human trafficking, assault involving strangulation or extortion involving violence. This means that for these categories of offences, the starting point becomes detention, and it would be up to the accused to prove why they should be released on bail, rather than on the Crown to have to meet this high threshold. Let us consider court capacity. Bill C-242 proposes that more accused persons must go through a judge for a bail hearing, removing the ability of the police to release individuals in a broader range of cases. It would also require that only judges grant bail in many situations. What would that mean in practice?”
“Even if we deleted it from the statute, it would continue to apply, so Bill C-242 would not actually change the law, but create confusion and risk clogging up the courts, as lawyers argue over a principle that still exists but is no longer clearly codified. Our approach through Bill C-14 is far more effective. We clarify the principle of restraint. We make explicit that it does not mean automatic release. We make it clear that detention is appropriate where public safety is at risk. That is how we strengthen the law, instead of pretending we can erase binding Supreme Court jurisprudence. Let us talk about repeat violent offenders, because that is where Canadians expect action. Bill C-242 would create a broad category of major offences and apply reverse onus provisions to these offences. Bill C-14 takes a different path.”
“How does it differ? It has a series of changes that do not really consider the operational realities of our justice system. It would duplicate measures that already exist in Bill C-14 , which is now being studied at the Senate. Where it goes in a different way, it does so in ways that raise serious constitutional concerns and practical risks. Let us start with one of the central proposals, the so-called removal of the principle of restraint. Bill C-242 proposes to eliminate it from the Criminal Code. On its face, that might sound appealing, but it is fundamentally flawed. Unlike some claims from the opposition, the principle of restraint does not come from the Criminal Code alone. It comes from the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in R. v. Antic. That means it is binding law under our common-law system.”
“On that question, Bill C-242 falls short, while our government's bill, Bill C-14 , the bail and sentencing reform act, delivers. Let me be clear: Bill C-14 already achieves the objective that Bill C-242 aims to achieve. The difference is that our bill does so in a constitutional way. It would introduce over 80 targeted reforms to the Criminal Code. It was developed in collaboration with provinces, territories, police leaders, victims, survivors and justice system experts. Most importantly, it has the support of all 10 premiers in this country, across party lines. That matters, because when it comes to bail, the provinces administer justice. They run the courts, they hire prosecutors and they oversee policing resources, so when all 10 premiers tell us that Bill C-14 strikes the right balance, we should listen. Compare that to Bill C-242 .”
“Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to rise today to speak to Bill C-242 , the Conservative bill on Canada's bail system. I want to begin with something that unites every member of this House. Regardless of party affiliation, Canadians deserve to feel safe and be safe in their communities. They deserve to walk their streets, send their children to school and go about their daily lives with confidence that the justice system is there to protect them. They deserve a system that holds repeat violent offenders accountable, that supports a victim and that functions effectively on the ground, not just in theory but in real practice. The reality is that good intentions are not enough. The question before us is not whether we strengthen bail. The question is whether we do it in a way that is effective, constitutional and actually implementable.”
“Mr. Speaker, let me set the record straight. Fentanyl is a controlled substance, and the member knows that physicians use fentanyl in an extremely controlled environment to treat patients. Supervised consumption sites save lives and connect people to services. This is only one tool in our many tool boxes that we are using to work collaboratively with provinces and territories. We are supporting communities to tackle the toxic drug crisis. It would be wonderful if members on the Conservative side could join us instead of painting the record dark.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her hard work on this and for her community. Temple Emanu-El in my riding was targeted last week in the spate of violence towards synagogues, and these were clear acts of intimidation towards the Jewish community. I just want to ask the member to speak to the importance of the speedy passage of Bill C-9 and also to the importance of coming together to work towards peace and security.”
“When Canadians reach for a product on a store's shelves, they need to have confidence in its safety and trust that the label accurately represents the product. If they do not have that confidence, if they cannot trust the product they are buying, it will hurt the entire natural health products industry and, by extension, our economy. There is an important balance we need to find, and I hope we can study this bill at committee to make sure it strikes the right balance, one that ensures Canadians can have peace of mind when it comes to the products they buy and that Canadian natural health product companies have the tools they need to grow and thrive.”
“One of the important pieces of legislation passed by the previous government was Bill C-69 , which gave the Minister of Health the flexibility to respond to urgent and emerging regulatory challenges as they arise with tailored options and solutions. In a world where both industry and government are constantly facing evolving challenges, this kind of flexibility is essential. This important work needs to continue, and I think there is room within the current bill to allow it to continue, which is why I look forward to voting for this bill and studying it at the health committee. (1840) However, we also need to make sure there are rules and regulations in place to protect Canadian consumers.”
“It is why we have been working closely with our natural health product industry stakeholders as part of our red tape review to streamline and reduce unnecessary regulatory burden. Thanks to the red tape review, Health Canada is shifting to a risk-based approach to oversight that will reduce pre-market requirements for natural health products, while shifting direct oversight and resources to higher-risk areas. It also put a pause on new labelling requirements and is continuing to work with natural health product companies to address their concerns. We also recognize that a key part of working with the natural health product industry is flexibility. We cannot just apply a one-size-fits-all regulatory approach.”
“These are all important tools to protect consumers, and the way it is currently written, the bill would remove these tools altogether. I know that the bill's sponsor, the member for Ponoka—Didsbury , is a long-time advocate for natural health products. During the previous Parliament, he introduced the forerunner of this bill, Bill C-368 , which had many of the same provisions. I will pause here to note that one important difference between Bill C-368 and Bill C-224 is that the current bill does not exempt nicotine products from the Food and Drugs Act, which is a significant improvement. Both bills are a considerable attempt to help natural health product companies continue to grow and thrive. This is a goal all of us share. It is certainly a goal of our new government.”
“It also makes Canada a more attractive destination for companies looking to expand, because they know that we have a regulatory system in place that maintains some of the highest food and drug safety standards in the world. An unintended consequence of Bill C-224 is that, rather than simply reducing the regulatory burden on natural health product companies, it could make people less certain about the products they are using. Under the current laws and regulations, the Minister of Health has a number of important powers. They can order a product recall. They can require changes to labels or packaging. They can request additional information about a product when they suspect the product poses a serious risk to human health. They can issue fines against companies that refuse to take unsafe products off the shelf.”
“In one extreme case last year, a range of multivitamins and supplements had to be recalled across Canada because they contained metal fibres. These recalls are rare, but they show how even seemingly safe products that are authorized and widely used can still have some risks. That is what makes some regulatory oversight so important. Having food and drug safety regulations that ensure that the products on store shelves are safe, effective and of high quality helps Canadian consumers and Canadian companies alike. These regulations build trust and confidence in the system. Consumers trust that the products on store shelves are what they say they are, while businesses get to operate on a level playing field.”
“Our government heard from natural health product companies that they were finding that some new regulations were too onerous or did not do what they set out to do. In response, we paused some of these regulations and limited the scope of others. Canada's natural health product industry is a huge part of the economy. We want to make sure that these companies can thrive, but we also want to make sure that Canadians can trust that the natural health products they rely on are safe, and that what they say on the label is what is actually in them. After all, the term “natural health products” encompasses a wide range of products, and one only needs to look at the Health Canada recall page to see that. Sometimes mistakes are made. There can be mislabeled products or undeclared ingredients.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to have the opportunity to speak about Bill C-224 . This is an important bill that impacts millions of Canadians who rely on natural health products as part of their daily health and wellness routines, and who want to know that the products they are using and consuming are safe. I think all of us recognize that this bill has some ideas worth exploring. Our government is always open to ideas that help Canadian businesses thrive and ensure that Canadians have access to safe, effective natural health products. In fact, one of our new government's top priorities was to remove burdensome red tape in regulation. We have seen this promise in action in the natural health product sector.”
“Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and consistent with the policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005)”, adopted at Geneva on June 1, 2024.”
“Mr. Speaker, my mom is a cancer survivor, and I know what it is like when a loved one goes through cancer treatments. We also know that prevention matters. Up to 40% of cancer cases could be prevented. That is why I am proud that our government announced $41 million for groundbreaking cancer prevention research. Through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and partner organizations, we are supporting 19 teams whose work will save lives, build a healthier Canada and make sure we get to spend more time with our loved ones.”
“Mr. Speaker, that is a very important question. For too long, women's health was a blind spot in our health care system. Even today, women's unique health needs continue to be misdiagnosed, misrepresented and misunderstood. While we have made real progress in advancing gender equality and women's rights, including sexual and reproductive rights, too many people around the world are rolling back these improvements. Our government will always work to remove these barriers and close the gender gap in research, ensuring equitable health care for everybody, including women.”
“Mr. Speaker, I know that the hon. member works really hard for his community, and I appreciate the collaboration on this very matter. Our government will always protect Canada's health care system, including pharmacare and dental care. These are clear commitments, and we will always keep them. We are continuing to work with all provinces and territories to see how we can best support them to strengthen the health care system, including pharmacare.”
“While we mourn her passing, we celebrate the remarkable legacy she leaves behind, a legacy that will carry forward and continue to inspire and connect people for generations.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the life of Mrs. Gulshan Nanji, who passed away in December at the age of 92. Mrs. Nanji arrived in Canada from Uganda with her family in 1972, and was a steadfast champion of her family's long-standing commitment to the North York General Hospital in my riding of Don Valley North. Together with her late husband, Mr. Pyarali Nanji, Mrs. Nanji played a transformational role with her vision and generosity, which is reflected in the Gulshan and Pyarali G. Nanji orthopaedic and plastics centre, the Nanji Family Foundation centre for medical imaging, the Nanji academic centre, the Nanji ambulatory care centre and many other initiatives that have strengthened care for our community. Mrs. Nanji and the Nanji family are a testament to the transformative power of generosity.”
“Mr Speaker, it is rich, coming from the Conservative bench, that they are talking about affordability for young people. On this side of the House, we are building Canada strong. We are creating opportunities for young people. We are giving money back with this new credit. I invite members opposite to work with us so we can diversify our trade, support our skilled trade workers and train more workers in this country. This creates more opportunities for young people. I invite the member opposite to work with us.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is good that the NDP and the member opposite are speaking up for the Canada Health Act, but they need to back up their words with actions by backing budget 2025 and ensuring that needed investments in health care infrastructure can flow to where they are needed the most. Our government will always defend universal health care, but we understand that defending the Canada Health Act means investing in the health care system.”
“In building our health care capacity, we of course need to work closely with our provincial and territorial partners. We have always been clear that, if a province or territory needs help in delivering health care to it citizens, we are there to help because we recognize that access to medically necessary health care should be based on medical needs, not someone's ability to pay. By working with our provincial and territorial partners, and most importantly, by making key investments that build up health care infrastructures from coast to coast to coast, we will make sure that universal health care continues to be Canada's defining nation-building project and achievement.”
“We are investing $5 billion in building Canada's health care infrastructure, in attracting top research talents from around the world and in a comprehensive assessment of health care and health infrastructure needs in the north. These are critical investments that will build Canada's health care capacity from coast to coast to coast. Whether it is helping to build a new hospital or attracting researchers who will make their scientific breakthroughs here in Canada, our government is demonstrating in budget 2025 that we are doing our part. It is deeply disappointing that the member for Edmonton Strathcona voted against the budget. At a time when we need to make generational investments, it is sad to see that she and many members of her party would rather play politics than build up health care across the country, including in Alberta.”
“Mr. Speaker, this is my first time speaking in the House in the new year, so I want to start by wishing everyone a happy new year. I look forward to working together with colleagues from all parties at a time that demands unity. Our government was elected last year with the promise to build Canada strong. We understand the importance of nation-building projects, and let me be clear that there is no greater nation-building project in Canada's history than the Canada Health Act. Our government will always defend and protect the Canada Health Act because we recognize that our universal health care system underpins our economic strength. To build Canada strong, we need healthy Canadians. This is reflected in budget 2025, which makes generational investments in health care.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the North York General Hospital's Seniors’ Health Centre on its 40 years of exceptional and compassionate care. I advise the House of this wonderful institution, as it is the hub of medical services for seniors in my riding of Don Valley North. It first opened its doors in 1985 as a 60-bed long-term care home. It has stood the test of time and has grown to 192 beds. I want to take this occasion to acknowledge the natural care, commitment and unwavering dedication of the staff at the health centre to patients and families. For 40 years, they have proved that the best care is timeless and that compassion never grows old. As we see, the Seniors' Health Centre has been aging gracefully, and if its first 40 years are any indication, the best is still yet to come.”
“Madam Speaker, I want to emphasize that everyone recognizes the problem with the vaccine injury support program. Our new government acted immediately to fix these problems. We are bringing management of the vaccine injury support program back to the government and have instructed the Public Health Agency of Canada to expedite its audit of the program and the company delivering it. Despite what the member has said, I already answered the question. The audit is ongoing, and as soon as it is completed, we will make those results available. We will keep all options on the table moving forward, so that vulnerable Canadians, and all Canadians, can have faith that we will be there for Canadians when they need the help and that we are spending tax dollars in a way that is transparent and accountable.”
“We learned that Quebec, along with every G7 country, administers this type of program internally, not through a third party. That is exactly what we are doing. As announced in August, beginning April 1, the Government of Canada will assume full responsibility for delivering the vaccine injury support program. Operational details are still being finalized, and we will share them openly as soon as they are available and ready. What matters most is that we are fixing what was broken. We are restoring accountability, and we are ensuring that Canadians who need this program can trust it.”
“We will take whatever action is required to ensure vulnerable Canadians receive the support they need and that all Canadians can trust that their tax dollars are being managed responsibly. If the audit recommends stopping payments to the current administrator, we will do that. If the audit recommends recovering funds or taking further action, we will do that as well. As the minister has said repeatedly, nothing is off the table. We also know that the previous government, while well-intentioned, stood up this program in haste. It did not review how similar programs operate in other jurisdictions, including right here in Canada. When the Minister of Health recognized this gap, she directed officials to redesign the program using best practices.”
“Madam Speaker, let me be clear. The allegations regarding Oxaro's management of the vaccine injury support program are unacceptable. This program was created to support vulnerable Canadians, and it is evident that it has not operated in the way that Canadians deserve. This is why, from the moment our new government became aware of these issues, we acted decisively. The Minister of Health directed that every option be considered. She instructed the Public Health Agency of Canada to expedite its audit of both the program and its third party administrator. That audit is under way, and we will make its findings public as soon as they are available. We need to see the full results of that audit. Our commitment is unwavering.”
“Madam Speaker, indeed, health care is such a major component of our identity. We highlighted in our budget that we are making major investments to strengthen it through the health infrastructure fund of $5 billion to modernize hospitals, build our ER capacity and train more health professionals. This will increase benefits for seniors and the people in Don Valley North.”
“Madam Speaker, in this budget, we have a number of affordability measures. If the hon. member looks carefully, he will see the tax cut for 22 million Canadians. The new horizons for seniors program is a very good program that seniors in my riding of Don Valley North really enjoy accessing to stay connected to the community. When we have a very connected, healthy population, it saves costs down the road. With respect to what the member asked, I look forward to having further conversations on it.”
“Madam Speaker, I thank the member opposite for the question. It gives me an opportunity to highlight some of the measures and investments we included in this budget, which will build Canada strong for the next generation and the current generation. In the budget, we are making generational investments in major projects, for example through community strong infrastructure funds. We are building new hospitals. We are building new ERs. We are building medical schools. This will expand capacities and at the same time create good high-tech and research jobs, as I mentioned in my speech. These are exciting opportunities. I talk to folks in Don Valley North, and they are excited to see them unfold. I also want to highlight that, in my riding, the North York General Hospital will really benefit from the research innovation in this budget.”
“I am very proud, as a member of this government, to say “well done” to the Prime Minister and the finance minister for delivering the “Canada Strong” budget, a budget that is not merely an economic investment but a necessity for our sovereignty. Its long-term significance, I believe, will be absolute. (1255) This budget reflects not only the values of our government, but the aspirations of the people of Don Valley North, people who believe in community, progress and building Canada strong for the next generation.”
“It is also shaped by nutrition, connection and the supports that help people thrive. Budget 2025 continues these investments. At Cliffwood Public School, the national school food program ensures that students start their day nourished and ready to learn. Through the new horizons program, seniors at the Bayview Village Association stay active, engaged and socially connected, all proven determinants of better health. These are the very people who will feel the benefit of a stronger, more accessible health care system. We are investing to make Canada the best country to be young and grow old in. From the tax credit for personal support workers to the tax cut for 22 million Canadians, we are building Canada strong.”
“Strengthening health care also means strengthening the research and innovation ecosystem that drives discovery, new treatments and long-term competitiveness. Budget 2025 makes some of the most significant research investments in more than a decade, strengthening Canadian leadership in life sciences, digital health, AI, biomanufacturing and clean technologies. The budget also modernizes Canada's talent attraction strategy, ensuring that world-class researchers, scientists, engineers and innovators see Canada as the place to build their career. These investments will shape the future of medicine, improve patient care and support the health innovation economy that communities like Don Valley North are deeply connected to. Health is shaped by more than clinical care.”
“Residents in Don Valley North, from Bayview Village to Hillcrest to Henry Farm to Bayview Woods-Steeles to York Mills, all want a health care system that is modern, accessible and people-centred. Budget 2025 delivers exactly that. The $5-billion health infrastructure fund would modernize hospitals, urgent care centres and ERs, and would expand medical schools so that families get care in spaces designed for today. The $97-million foreign credential recognition action fund would help internationally trained doctors, nurses and specialists get licensed faster. The national dental program, already helping seniors and children in Don Valley North, would be strengthened so that more families can access preventative care and avoid costly emergencies. These health investments are not abstract. They are real improvements in people's daily lives.”
“At the Flemingdon Health Centre, I heard directly from staff how federal investments have helped them serve vulnerable residents with language programs, mental health support and community health resources. These are real examples of how the budget meets the moment. The budget from the finance minister is our government's plan to build Canada into the strongest economy in the G7. It is focused on catalyzing Canada's growth over the longer term. That is good for the economy. Most importantly, it is good for Canadian families. In Don Valley North, families have told me what they value most in the budget: infrastructure, housing, community safety and health. Because health is top of mind for every Canadian, let me highlight what the budget delivers.”
“It is a budget for all Canadians, and it delivers where it matters most for families: in jobs, health and safety. This is a budget that keeps Canadian dollars in Canada, working locally, building nationally, going everywhere and doing everything, all at once. As I was going around my riding of Don Valley North this past weekend, what struck me was the absolute confidence that the electorate had in our Prime Minister 's leadership and in this government's direction as we navigate a rapidly changing and more hostile world. People have come up to me and said that this is a budget for the times. We can see why. When I met with youths at the S.E.A.S. Centre, Wordswell, IWOO, Working Women, and Newcomer Women's Services, many shared that through Canada summer jobs, they made their first meaningful connection to the workforce.”
“Madam Speaker, I rise to support the generational budget from the finance minister . We all listened very keenly to the budget speech given by the finance minister, and we have had a glance at the numerous very positive media reports on this ambitious, robust and confident budget. The budget, as it says on the cover, is what it says on the tin: It is here to build Canada strong. It is an absolute privilege to stand here and talk about the responsible approach we have taken to setting up investments in key areas that are important to our country, investments that set the foundation for generations of success. The Prime Minister was right when he said that we cannot control what other countries do, but we can control what we build. The “Canada Strong” budget is the biggest investment in our nation's infrastructure in a generation.”
“Mr. Speaker, building a strong Canada means making generational investments in infrastructure. Budget 2025 delivers $5 billion in the new health infrastructure fund, which will be strengthening hospitals, ERs and medical schools across the country. Conservatives voted against investments like this in the House, yet their MPs never missed a ribbon cutting. However, we are glad they can come around. It is better late than never, though better never late. On this side of the House, we are focused on delivering real results and building a stronger, healthier Canada for everyone.”
“Mr. Speaker, this past summer, I had the pleasure of visiting the Henry Farm Tennis Club and touring its wonderful facilities. Founded in 1975, the club will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. This past weekend, it closed out another successful season on the courts by serving up its AGM. I am advising the House of this beloved local club because we know that associations like tennis clubs build a sense of community that promotes both physical and mental health. By building a healthy Canada, we build Canada strong. I want to take this occasion to recognize the members of the Henry Farm Tennis Club for their strong community spirit, and I acknowledge the team of volunteers for helping youth build confidence and adults stay active. I commend them for bringing people together across generations, one match at a time.”
“Mr. Speaker, mental health matters deeply to Canadians and to Parliament. I want to again thank my hon. colleague for raising the issue and for his important work on it. Our government shares these concerns and remains firmly committed to advancing safe, effective and innovative mental health care across the country. We continue to engage with leading experts from movements like Movember, invest in evidence-based approaches, and work closely with provinces and territories, so that federal support is aligned with the realities on the ground. Together we are building a more responsive and inclusive mental health system, one that meets Canadians where they are and supports them throughout their lives. Again, I look forward to continuing this work with my hon. colleague in order to advance it.”
“A cornerstone of this work is 988, Canada's suicide crisis helpline. It is free, confidential and available 24-7 in English and French, by voice and text. Between November 2023 and July 2025, 988 answered over 600,000 calls and texts. It is a lifeline for people in crisis, and we are committed to strengthening it. Mental health care must be safe, accessible and inclusive. Our government is investing in the future, not only through funding but also through partnerships, innovation and a shared vision with provinces and territories. Together we are building a mental health system that meets people where they are, supports them throughout their lives and reflects the compassion and care Canadians deserve. Mental health is health, and we will continue to make it a priority for all Canadians.”
“Since 2022, over $118 million has been invested to strengthen this network and support national collaboration, and the work continues. Just last month, the Minister of Health announced $10 million in Health Canada funding for Kickstand, to expand integrated youth services in Alberta. We are also ensuring that practitioners and families have the tools they need. Earlier this year, we released new clinical practice guidelines for managing mood and anxiety disorders in the perinatal period, along with a patient and family guide. These resources support consistent evidence-based care that Canadians can trust. Suicide prevention remains a top priority. Through Canada's first national suicide prevention action plan, we are coordinating efforts with provinces, territories, indigenous partners and experts to reduce risk and save lives.”