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IN THE NEWS- NDP MP Gord Johns asking for Mental Health Services apart of Public Health Care

An NDP MP from Vancouver Island is tabling a private member’s bill hoping to make mental health services more accessible for Canadians.

Courtenay-Alberni NDP MP and Mental Health and Harm Reduction Critic Gord Johns introduced a bill aiming to include community-based mental health, addictions, and substance use services to the public health care system.

In a press release, Johns said the bill aims to ensure mental health is treated equally to physical health.

“Mental health is health. Anyone in need of mental health support should be able to find it, and not go broke when they get it.”

IN THE NEWS- The Hill Times: Op-ed on youth mental health

Thanks to The Hill Times for publishing my op-ed on youth mental health on Monday. Young people are still suffering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as they grow up in challenging, uncertain times. Research shows a troubling picture of their mental wellbeing. In 2020, nearly a quarter of hospitalizations of Canadians aged 5 to 24 years old were due to mental health problems, with alarming increases in hospitalizations for self-harm, eating disorders, and substance use.

Evidence suggests the pandemic accelerated a trend of declining child and youth mental health in Canada that began two decades prior and remains ongoing. Federal leadership that goes beyond funding is urgently required including a comprehensive plan to improve the mental health of children and youth across the country. You won’t see much about this in media reports about the health care crisis and nothing at all in Conservative slogans and fear mongering but it is real and will only get worse for young people as they grow into adulthood.

Linking the affordability crisis and mental health requires transformative change in health care

A wave of mental strain facing Canadians in response to affordability challenges- including housing and putting food on the table- requires an overhaul of the public health-care system to include mental health supports, according to the NDP mental health critic.

"Certainly, coming after COVID, it's obvious people are struggling just to make ends meet. Basic needs like food and shelter, which are creating stress for people and families, and the chronic stress that impacts people's mental health, especially young people," said NDP MP Gord Johns.

"The NDP are going to be continuing to put pressure on the government, as we have been, but especially this fall we're going to ramp it up even more. We can't afford not to make transformative change to mental health-care in Canada, and the failure for the government to treat mental health equally to physical health under our current public health-care system has had enormous costs for Canadians,"

IN THE NEWS- Lightkeepers should be retained, MP Gord Johns tells House of Commons

“This decision puts lives at risk and was made without consulting First Nations, labour, mariners or local communities,” Johns told MPs during question period.

MP Gord Johns raised the issue of destaffing west coast lightkeepers during question period in the House of Common last week.

“Will the Liberals pause this plan, do the proper consultation and invest in keeping coast people safe?” asked the NDP member of Parliament for Courtenay-Alberni.

The Canadian Coast Guard announced in July that it was removing lightkeepers from the Pachena Point and Carmanah Point lightstations before heavy weather arrives this winter.

NDP MP Gord Johns pushes for Audit of Government's response to Toxic Drug Crisis

Ottawa- On Tuesday, the parliamentary health committee passed an NDP motion moved by NDP critic for Mental Health and Harm Reduction Gord Johns to recommend the Auditor General Conduct an audit of the federal government's response to the toxic drug crisis.

Between January 2016 and March 2024, 47,162 Canadians have died due to drug poisoning. While the government claims to have committed more than $1 billion since 2017 to address this crisis, opioid-related deaths have risen from an average of eight per day to 21 since national surveillance began.

"Families and communities continue to be devastated by the toxic drug poisoning crisis and it's time for transparency and accountability on the government's response. We've had numerous audits and look at the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we've yet to have one on a crisis that's taken thousands of Canadian lives," said Johns. "Canadians deserve a clear picture on how the government is managing its response to this tragic crisis, including whether it's delivering supports to Canadians in an equitable way,"

Gord pointed to the latest round of grants under the Substance Use and Addictions program that raises serious concern about geographic disparities in the government's distribution of funding- First Nations and vulnerable populations are skipped and left behind without services in the communities where they live.

"It's clear we need to do more to turn the tide on this crisis, and i hope an audit on the response to date will be initiated to help inform the path forward so we can save lives. Canadians depend on it," added Johns.

NDP Mental Health and Harm Reduction Critic Gord Johns statement on World Suicide Prevention Day

NDP Mental Health and Harm Reduction Critic Gord Johns made the following statement:

"Today, on World Suicide Prevention Day, we stand with those struggling with their mental health and think of the families and loved ones who tragically lost someone they love to suicide.

Every day, approximately 12 Canadians die by suicide, and more than 200 people attempt suicide. Each loss has a profound impact on the loved ones left behind and on our communities. Each and every loss is one too many.

The 2024-2026 theme for World Suicide Prevention Day is "Changing the Narrative on Suicide," and the call to action is "Start the Conversation,"

We can all be part of the solution by building a culture of openness and support rather than silence and stigma. We can have conversations that break down barriers and advocate for policies that improve support for people who are struggling.

The NDP has been and will always fight and advocate for accessible mental health care for all Canadians so everyone can get the help they need in their darkest times.

NDP statement on International Overdose Awareness Day

NDP Mental Health and Harm Reduction critic Gord Johns made the following statement:

"Today, on International Overdose Awareness Day, we remember the thousands of Canadians who have been taken from us by the drug toxicity crisis. And we recognize the pain and grief of families and loved ones who have been left behind.

We also honour and think of the millions of Canadians who are in recovery, many of whom have survived because of the critical support of first responders and public health professionals.

We know from experts and experience that overdoses and overdose deaths are preventable with public policies and actions that are both compassionate and safe for all Canadians.

Prevention and health promotion initiatives are required to inform young people of the risk of overdose. Safe consumption sites are required to stop overdoses. Safe and regulated alternatives to toxic street drugs are needed to prevent overdose and overdose deaths.

New Democrats want to see cost-free and no-wait treatment programs to provide a path to recovery for those who are ready and able.

IN THE NEWS- NDP MP Gord Johns sees strong support for keeping lightstations open

The Canadian Coast Guard, part of the federal Fisheries Department, has announced it is planning to remove a total of four lightkeepers from two stations, one at Pachena Point and the other at Carmanah Point, both on the West Coast Trail.

A meeting between Fisheries and Oceans Canada staff and Gord Johns, MP for Courtenay-Alberni, is planned for early in the coming week to talk about destaffing plans for two lightstations off the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Johns, who is opposing the plan, said he learned Friday afternoon that department staff will meet him.

IN THE NEWS - 2021 MV Zim Kingston Spill Investigation Released

The Transporation Safety Board is calling on the federal government for more urgent action to keep oceans and shorelines safe from similar marine emergencies. Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns shares his reaction to the findings.

"There's no confidence by coastal people that there's a sense of urgency from the Government of Canada to come up with a coordinated plan."

IN THE NEWS- NDP MP Gord Johns supports lightstations being open

A meeting between Fishers and Oceans Canada staff and MP Gord Johns, is planned for early in the coming week to talk about destaffing plans for two lightstations off the west coast of Vancouver Island.

“When we hear [of] incidents happening, lightkeepers are front and centre,” Johns said. “They are the first to respond in terms of helping support the overall response” which can include the coast guard and CFB Comox.

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