17 April 2024

On April 16, the federal Government unveiled Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation looking to set out spending for the next year while making an effort of investing in youth focused priorities and issues across the country. 

I am pleased with the investments that are set out in Budget 2024, especially when it comes to mental health focused initiatives and funding, as well as the focus on youth related issues across the country and the support that the federal government is working to give our younger generation. 

Budget 2024 looks to provide, among many other things:

• $500 million for the creation of a new Youth Mental Health Fund (answering Calls of Action from both this year and last year);
• $630 million to support Indigenous mental health;
• $4 million to support the mental health of black Canadians;
• Additional funding of $6 million to Veterans Affairs Canada for the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund with a portion of the funding will focus on projects for Indigenous, women, and 2SLGBTQI+ veterans;
• $253 million to support more rural healthcare and social workers (semi answer to Call of Action 4 - 2024)
• $12 million to fund projects aimed at combatting hate against the 2SLGBTQI+ community. 

While I am pleased with these investments in our mental health care system and for people across the country, it is also important to remember the needs of more underserved people living with poor mental health or illnesses, such as those with an eating disorder, mood disorder, and more. Ensuring that proper support and services are accessible for all should remain a top priority for the federal government across the country.

I look forward to seeing these initiatives indicated in Budget 2024 rollout over the course of the year and remain hopefully for more critical investments such as support for the Provinces and Territories, support for a Universal Mental Health Care System, and support for a National Suicide Prevention Strategy. 

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View the full Federal Budget 2024

Related: Read the 2024 Mental Health Calls of Action

Related: Read the 2023 Mental Health Calls of Action

Related: Statement on Ontario Budget 2024