The 2007 Federal Budget has good news for mental health: the Canadian Mental Health Commission has been announced as a key component of a national mental health strategy.  The Commission will be established in 2009-2010, and will be chaired by the Honourable Michael Kirby.  The structure and role of the commission will be based on the recommendations of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, which were outlined in Out of the Shadows at Last.  The Federal Government is providing $10 million

in funding for the Commission for the first two years, and $15 million per year for every year after that.  In addition, $400 million has been

announced for Canada Health Infoway to support the development of electronic health records, and an additional $22 million per year will bolster support for the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

The Federation has issued a joint press release with Addictions Ontario, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health congratulating the government on its investment in the health of Canadians.  The press release and budget-related links follow.

TORONTO, March 19 /CNW/ - Creating a new Canadian body empowered to throw a national spotlight onto the marginalized issues of mental health and addictions and keep it there until effective solutions are implemented has won the praise of four of Ontario's leading mental health and addiction organizations.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario, the Ontario

Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs (OFCMHAP),

Addictions Ontario, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) today applauded the announcement in the federal budget of the creation of a Canadian Mental Health Commission, as recommended by Senator Kirby's Senate Committee. This Commission, with a mandate to lead the development of a national mental health strategy, will move these long-neglected health issues into the mainstream.

"We would like to congratulate Michael Kirby on being named Chair of the new Canadian Mental Health Commission. His passion and commitment - as well as that of his Senate Committee colleagues - have resulted in the creation of this new commission today, and his leadership will ensure that it makes a real difference tomorrow. We are thrilled," said Dr. Paul Garfinkel, President & CEO of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

"The need for such a commission to focus on addiction and mental health

issues across the country is undeniable," commented Jeff Wilbee, Executive Director of Addictions Ontario. "The quality of the addiction and mental health services you receive should not depend on where in Canada you live. A national commission to make objective, evidence-based 'best practice' information on mental illness and addictions equally available to communities and governments across Canada will have an incredibly positive effect on the quality of care and services received by some of the most vulnerable people in our country."

"While needing to recognize the unique services of addiction providers, the creation of a national body is an important step towards helping the many vulnerable Canadians facing an addiction and or mental illness," said David Kelly, Executive Director of OFCMHAP. "It also recognizes that we in Canada have a lot of catching up to do. Mental health and addictions have fallen behind other health issues despite the fact they directly affect one in five Canadians and have severe social, employment and economic implications."

For further information: or to schedule interviews, contact: Michael Torres, CAMH, (416) 595-6015; David Kelly, OFCMHAP, (416) 490-8900 ext. 22; Michelle Gold, CMHA, Ontario, (416) 977-5580 ext. 4151; Jeff Wilbee, Addictions Ontario, (519) 772-0113 ext 222

Joint press release:

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2007/19/c4196.html

Budget speech:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/budget2007/pdf/budgetspeech.pdf

Budget in brief:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/budget2007/pdf/budgetinbrief.pdf

Budget plan:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/budget2007/pdf/budgetplan.pdf

Full budget documents:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/budget2007/docs/index.html