On Thursday, MP Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni) that aims to include community-based mental health, addictions, and substance use services in Canada鈥檚 universal, public health care system.
Johns previously introduced the bill in October 2024 on World Mental Health Day and took the first opportunity to re-table it. The Mental Health Parity Act, , is the first Private Member鈥檚 Bill to be introduced in the House of Commons in the 45th Parliament.
鈥淢ental health matters and Canadians should not go without the care they need because of out-of-pocket costs,鈥� said Johns. 鈥淥ur public healthcare system has treated mental and physical health different for too long. It鈥檚 time to change that so Canadians who are struggling can get well. Untreated mental illness has enormous costs for families, communities, and our economy.鈥�
"Donald Trump鈥檚 unjustified trade war and threats to our sovereignty has only added to the challenges and anxieties Canadians are facing," a release from the NDP says. "With many people at risk of losing their livelihood and extended health insurance, it鈥檚 clear financial barriers to mental health services need to be broken down. Johns鈥� bill is the first step towards making mental healthcare accessible with a health card, not a credit card."
