Thank you to Alex Glassey, president of the Alberni Valley Restorative Justice Society for inviting me to speak at this year’s Annual general Meeting. As I told members of the Society, restorative justice is such an important force for good in the community and certainly over the past year, I have been very impressed with their collaborative work with First Nations, schools, social service groups, the RCMP and the federal and provincial judicial systems. Significantly, they have created awareness with both municipal and regional governments and applied for almost $2 million in federal grants to extend their reach in the Valley. The momentum that is being created by this initiative is truly inspiring, particularly as it shifts justice towards healing as an outcome for so many.
Mood Disorders Society of Canada Meeting
It was a privilege to meet with representatives from Mood Disorders Society of Canada recently in Ottawa to discuss the important role of community organizations and peer support workers in helping Canadians with mental illnesses. They spoke about how the chronic underfunding of Canada’s mental health sector limits the ability of non-profit organizations to expand services and meet growing demand. We agreed that investing in community mental health organizations could reduce pressures on the healthcare system and help Canadians who are struggling. Finally, we talked about my Private Member’s Bill, C-414, which is pushing for parity between physical and mental health in our universal, public healthcare system. Canada is facing a mental health crisis and it’s clear we need systemic change so everyone can access care when they need it most.