New legislation neglects to include funding for mental health, addictions supports

(Toronto, Dec. 12, 2024) – The premier stated today that vulnerable individuals who need mental health and addictions support will receive the care they need for the rest of their lives, a statement which was supported by both the ministers of housing and mental health. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario is confused by these comments, as we have been asking for years for funds to ensure that we have the capacity to serve Ontarians in need. We stand at the ready to receive new resources and investments to address the crumbling infrastructure of our sector and to help meet this commitment.
Our 27 CMHA branches work daily with their municipal partners to address the humanitarian crisis playing out in encampments in cities and towns across Ontario. But despite cost-saving measures, CMHA branches still face $35 million in deficits and are questioning how they can continue to provide quality care when front-line community mental health and addictions staff are already stretched to their limits.
To address these issues, CMHA Ontario is asking for an investment of $113 million dollars in the 2025/2026 budget to stabilize operating costs, expand crisis services and operate 5,000 additional supportive housing units.

Without sufficient funding, clients will continue to face long wait lists or programs and services may be forced to run on reduced hours. This is a far cry from the vision of providing all Ontarians with the mental health and addictions care they need, when they need it.

“Our sector has received only one five per cent base budget increase in the last 11 years, compared to inflation increasing at least 30 per cent over that time,” said Camille Quenneville, CEO, CMHA Ontario. “The investments announced today are positive, if passed, but without designated funding for mental health and addictions treatment in our communities, they will do little to create a long-term solution.”
“We can’t do more, or even provide the current level of service, if we’re not resourced properly.”
More than 235,000 Ontarians are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless, with up to 100,000 new supportive housing units needed across Ontario to ensure they have the wraparound supports they need to reintegrate into their communities. The investments outlined in the proposed legislation do not include funding for these supports.
“We continue to remain concerned about our clients in encampments who face the long winter ahead,” said Quenneville. “We’re happy to work with the government on a solution which acknowledges the complexity of this issue.”
The latest data indicates that most Ontarians agree that encampments are a health and social service issue, with only 12 per cent favouring stronger law enforcement measures to clear encampments.

Fast Facts:

• There are at least 1,400 homeless encampments in Ontario’s communities.
• More than 85 per cent of youth experiencing homelessness in Canada face severe mental health challenges, with a third of these youth residing in Ontario.
• CMHA branches support approximately 6,000 clients with supportive housing services.