Friday, February 6, 2026

Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989

Friday, February 6, 2026 | Latest Paper

Mental Health

Conservative health critic Dan Mazier, left, says a key focus for him during the winter sitting is the proximity of some supervised injection sites to places frequented by children, while NDP health critic Gord Johns says he’ll be vocal on issues including mental health and pharmacare. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 24, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel recently touted ongoing support for child care and early learning, and a national school food program in remarks about how her government supports children. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 24, 2025
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 24, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel recently touted ongoing support for child care and early learning, and a national school food program in remarks about how her government supports children. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY JESSICA MOFFATT, JOSé LUIS CASTRO | November 19, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel. While many high-income nations have implemented co-ordinated national lung health strategies, Canada has yet to do so. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY JESSICA MOFFATT, JOSé LUIS CASTRO | November 19, 2025
Opinion | BY JESSICA MOFFATT, JOSé LUIS CASTRO | November 19, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel. While many high-income nations have implemented co-ordinated national lung health strategies, Canada has yet to do so. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 17, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel has emphasized in her public comments that mental health is a priority for her, but that did not result in any new funding for that or programs connected to the toxic drug crisis. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 17, 2025
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 17, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel has emphasized in her public comments that mental health is a priority for her, but that did not result in any new funding for that or programs connected to the toxic drug crisis. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY FARDOUS HOSSEINY | November 10, 2025
The toll from service-related mental health challenges is not new, but these impacts—and the need to properly address them—are now coming to light in a significant way, writes Fardous Hosseiny. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY FARDOUS HOSSEINY | November 10, 2025
Opinion | BY FARDOUS HOSSEINY | November 10, 2025
The toll from service-related mental health challenges is not new, but these impacts—and the need to properly address them—are now coming to light in a significant way, writes Fardous Hosseiny. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 10, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel at an announcement in Ottawa on Oct. 2, 2025. "We are focusing on streamlining some programs,” said Michel about the absence of new mental health and addictions support program money in the budget. “But, if you look, we protected health care [through the] transfers.” The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 10, 2025
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 10, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel at an announcement in Ottawa on Oct. 2, 2025. "We are focusing on streamlining some programs,” said Michel about the absence of new mental health and addictions support program money in the budget. “But, if you look, we protected health care [through the] transfers.” The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY JOCELYN DOWNIE, MONA GUPTA | February 1, 2024
Mark Holland
On Feb. 1, Health Minister Mark Holland introduced legislation that would delay legalizing MAID for mental illness as the sole underlying cause. The federal government cannot reasonably justify this based on the work of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying, write Jocelyn Downie and Mona Gupta. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY JOCELYN DOWNIE, MONA GUPTA | February 1, 2024
Opinion | BY JOCELYN DOWNIE, MONA GUPTA | February 1, 2024
Mark Holland
On Feb. 1, Health Minister Mark Holland introduced legislation that would delay legalizing MAID for mental illness as the sole underlying cause. The federal government cannot reasonably justify this based on the work of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying, write Jocelyn Downie and Mona Gupta. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY IAN CAMPBELL | January 31, 2024
Health Minister Mark Holland, left, has introduced legislation to delay an expansion of MAID until 2027 in response to a report from a joint Parliamentary Committee. One Senator, in a dissenting opinion on the report, said Justice Minister Arif Virani, right, should seek a Supreme Court reference on the matter. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY IAN CAMPBELL | January 31, 2024
News | BY IAN CAMPBELL | January 31, 2024
Health Minister Mark Holland, left, has introduced legislation to delay an expansion of MAID until 2027 in response to a report from a joint Parliamentary Committee. One Senator, in a dissenting opinion on the report, said Justice Minister Arif Virani, right, should seek a Supreme Court reference on the matter. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY MOIRA WILSON | January 11, 2024
People with disabilities are now legally dying by suicide in Canada with assistance from MAID providers, and this will become far more common with the availability of MAID for mental illness, writes Moira Wilson. Photograph courtesy of Pixabay
Opinion | BY MOIRA WILSON | January 11, 2024
Opinion | BY MOIRA WILSON | January 11, 2024
People with disabilities are now legally dying by suicide in Canada with assistance from MAID providers, and this will become far more common with the availability of MAID for mental illness, writes Moira Wilson. Photograph courtesy of Pixabay
News | BY IAN CAMPBELL | January 8, 2024
In a December interview with The Canadian Press, Justice Minister Arif Virani said his government may allow the sunset clause on the expansion of medical assistance in dying to expire in March as planned, or delay the expansion once more. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY IAN CAMPBELL | January 8, 2024
News | BY IAN CAMPBELL | January 8, 2024
In a December interview with The Canadian Press, Justice Minister Arif Virani said his government may allow the sunset clause on the expansion of medical assistance in dying to expire in March as planned, or delay the expansion once more. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DANIEL ZEKVELD | December 20, 2023
If MAID is offered to people with mental illness, we can expect to see annual increases at rates similar to those we have seen with MAID for other groups of Canadians, writes Daniel Zekveld. Pexels photograph by Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas
Opinion | BY DANIEL ZEKVELD | December 20, 2023
Opinion | BY DANIEL ZEKVELD | December 20, 2023
If MAID is offered to people with mental illness, we can expect to see annual increases at rates similar to those we have seen with MAID for other groups of Canadians, writes Daniel Zekveld. Pexels photograph by Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 6, 2023
Unfortunately, the 988 system will be well used amid tougher economic circumstances, global strife, rising hate, climate worries, and a litany of other things that challenge our mental wellness, writes Tim Powers. Unsplash photograph by Dustin Belt
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 6, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 6, 2023
Unfortunately, the 988 system will be well used amid tougher economic circumstances, global strife, rising hate, climate worries, and a litany of other things that challenge our mental wellness, writes Tim Powers. Unsplash photograph by Dustin Belt
The charitable sector serves alongside government to provide critical services. With life’s basics now unaffordable for so many, there are increasingly complex and severe needs, write Owen Charters and Aline Nizigama. Image courtesy of Pixabay
The charitable sector serves alongside government to provide critical services. With life’s basics now unaffordable for so many, there are increasingly complex and severe needs, write Owen Charters and Aline Nizigama. Image courtesy of Pixabay
The mental injuries some soldiers receive are in a class by themselves, and shed light on why it is so difficult to get successful results from conventional treatment, write Senators David Richards and Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu. Unsplash photograph by Priscilla Du Preez
The mental injuries some soldiers receive are in a class by themselves, and shed light on why it is so difficult to get successful results from conventional treatment, write Senators David Richards and Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu. Unsplash photograph by Priscilla Du Preez
Opinion | BY BEN LIGHTBURN | November 22, 2023
Mark Holland
Health Minister Mark Holland speaks to reporters in Ottawa on June 21. Advancements in clinical trials clearly demonstrate the promise of psychedelic medicines as an effective therapeutic treatment, writes Ben Lightburn. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BEN LIGHTBURN | November 22, 2023
Opinion | BY BEN LIGHTBURN | November 22, 2023
Mark Holland
Health Minister Mark Holland speaks to reporters in Ottawa on June 21. Advancements in clinical trials clearly demonstrate the promise of psychedelic medicines as an effective therapeutic treatment, writes Ben Lightburn. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVE GALLSON, JASMINE NOBLE | October 23, 2023
As the Minister of Mental Health Ya’ara Saks assumes her new role, a distinct opportunity presents itself to bridge the gap between an overburdened mental health care system, community mental health resources, and those impacted by mental illness and/or managing mental health challenges, write Dr. Jasmine Noble and Dave Gallson. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVE GALLSON, JASMINE NOBLE | October 23, 2023
Opinion | BY DAVE GALLSON, JASMINE NOBLE | October 23, 2023
As the Minister of Mental Health Ya’ara Saks assumes her new role, a distinct opportunity presents itself to bridge the gap between an overburdened mental health care system, community mental health resources, and those impacted by mental illness and/or managing mental health challenges, write Dr. Jasmine Noble and Dave Gallson. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DANIEL ZEKVELD | October 11, 2023
Conservative MP Ed Fast’s Bill C-314, which would bar mental illness from being used as an eligible criterion for medical assistance in dying, should pass second reading and be studied by committee, writes Daniel Zekveld. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DANIEL ZEKVELD | October 11, 2023
Opinion | BY DANIEL ZEKVELD | October 11, 2023
Conservative MP Ed Fast’s Bill C-314, which would bar mental illness from being used as an eligible criterion for medical assistance in dying, should pass second reading and be studied by committee, writes Daniel Zekveld. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY MARGARET EATON | October 2, 2023
On Sept. 8, Minister of Mental Health Ya'ara Saks announced a call for proposals to access $8-million in federal funding to address gaps in equity, diversity and inclusion within Canada's distress line sector, as a complement to the 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline that will launch in Canada on Nov. 30, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY MARGARET EATON | October 2, 2023
Opinion | BY MARGARET EATON | October 2, 2023
On Sept. 8, Minister of Mental Health Ya'ara Saks announced a call for proposals to access $8-million in federal funding to address gaps in equity, diversity and inclusion within Canada's distress line sector, as a complement to the 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline that will launch in Canada on Nov. 30, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade