Opinion
Trudeau government needs to address alarming mental-health impacts of coronavirus
By Kathleen Finlay April 13, 2020
While the federal government has responded to the pandemic with plans to deal with both its physical threats and its economic fallout, it still has no plan to address the mental-health impact of COVID-19.
Health officials, including minister Patty Hajdu, are fielding appeals to put a stronger focus on the mental-health impacts of the coronavirus. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
No force in modern history has so infected our social interactions, our economic productivity and our health as the COVID-19 pandemic. But what might prove to be even more contagious and destructive than the virus is the trauma it is inflicting on the mental health of millions of Canadians.
Related Stories
Explore, analyze, understand
Inside Ottawa Directory – 2020 Edition
The handy reference guide includes: riding profiles, MPs by province, MP contact details, both Hill and constituency and more.
Get the book
The handy reference guide includes: riding profiles, MPs by province, MP contact details, both Hill and constituency and more.
Get the book
Mauril and Me
A collection of personal reflections and anecdotes in encounters and impacts by colleagues, community leaders and individuals.
Get the book
A collection of personal reflections and anecdotes in encounters and impacts by colleagues, community leaders and individuals.
Get the book
The Federal Response to the Opioid Crisis
This e-book summarizes the work on the opioid crisis that is going on at the federal level: what the House of Commons and the Senate have been listening to and acting on to help stop and mitigate this tragedy.
Get the book
This e-book summarizes the work on the opioid crisis that is going on at the federal level: what the House of Commons and the Senate have been listening to and acting on to help stop and mitigate this tragedy.
Get the book
Related Policy Briefings
Agriculture Policy Briefing
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Environment
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Cannabis
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Politics This Morning
Your email has been added. An email has been sent to your address, please click the link inside of it to confirm your subscription.
Feds’ policing reforms should respect self-governance of Indigenous people, say experts, Parliamentarians, in wake of deadly, violent run-ins with police
'Our relationship with police has been one of violence, from the colonial nature of everything that has happened in Canada,' says Judith Sayers, president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council in Port Alberni, B.C.Lack of privacy oversight could hurt buy-in for COVID contact-tracing app, say critics
'I get we're in a pandemic, and I'm very supportive of using the technology, but until I know that it respects the basic rights and has the highest standards, I can't see that it's going to work,' said MP Charlie Angus.‘I felt silenced’: voices missing from Upper Chamber’s systemic racism debate, say some Senators, highlighting need for hybrid model
Senator Mobina Jaffer is among those who say the in-person-only approach to spring Senate sittings limited participation and worries it will remain in place when Parliament returns in September.Mounting deaths stemming from police wellness checks a ‘wake-up call,’ says Senator
‘We need to address poverty and support community programs to prevent many of the situations that police are being asked to handle with guns and handcuffs,' says NDP critic Don Davies.New NAFTA comes into force after months of testy renegotiations, but ‘disruptions’ will need to be addressed
'We all have to expect that there's going to be some bumps over the next six months,' said Ohio-based trade lawyer Daniel Ujczo. Backroom, Capitol Hill lobbying key to fighting possible return of tariffs, says MP Wayne Easter
'At least at this stage, it's better to work the backrooms, work the players that have some influence with the White House, and try to ensure that such a threat doesn't become a reality,' says Canada-U.S. group co-chair.‘Just not the same’: Parliamentarians plan Canada Day festivities around the COVID-19 pandemic
'We do not celebrate the existence of this country in the same way other people do, because we think that the existence of this country came at a price to our ancestors and to us,' says Senator Murray Sinclair.Transformative global pandemic could bring positive changes to society, but will require ‘an incredible amount of political will,’ say politicos, pollsters
The deeper the impacts of COVID-19, the more likely that major changes will occur in our society, says EKOS president Frank Graves.MacKay’s victory could be a ‘threat to the party unity,’ says Conservative MP Kusie
'Peter MacKay has a proven track record of uniting Conservatives, and that's precisely what he's doing in the leadership campaign. And that's what he'll do if he's elected as leader,' says Conservative MP Michael Cooper.Trending Stories
