Ottawa, ON – Progress for Mental Health congratulates the Government of Ontario on the announcement of the Foundations for Promoting and Protecting Mental Health and Addictions Services Act.
This proposed legislation makes commitments to help Ontarians with the establishment of a Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence and to allow for the province’s participation in a national class action lawsuit against more than 40 opioid manufacturers and wholesalers.
The Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence will benefit Ontarians with mental illness. The Centre will operationalize the mental health and addictions strategy and provide accountability and oversight for the provincial mental health system.
Ontario is not immune to the ravages of opioid addiction. This proposed legislation will allow the Government of Ontario to sue opioid manufacturers and wholesalers for their alleged wrongdoing to recover past, present and future health care costs due to opioid-related disease, illness or injury.
“We welcome the Government of Ontario’s commitment to allow the province to participate in a national class action lawsuit launched by British Columbia last year,” said Andrea Swinton, CEO of Progress for Mental Health. “In particular, we are encouraged by the Attorney General Caroline Mulroney’s announcement today that the Government of Ontario has committed to invest any potential proceeds awarded from this lawsuit directly back into front-line mental health and addiction services.”
If passed, this proposed legislation has the potential to improve the integrated care delivery systems in the province and make a demonstrable impact on the lives of the people of Ontario.
“We look forward to working with the Government of Ontario during this important time,” said Swinton.
Progress for Mental Health is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of the one in five Canadians living with mental illness. We envision a world where mental healthis treated equally to physical health. Our mandate is science, discovery and innovation.
