CMHA Statement: Premiers urge Ottawa to renew critical mental health funding set to expire 

Jul 24, 2026

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) welcomes the Council of the Federation’s— comprised of Premiers from all 13 provinces and territories— support for renewing expiring federal health funding agreements, including investments that support community mental health and addictions services across Canada. 

Community-based mental health and addictions care supports a healthier workforce, helps people before they reach a crisis, and reduces pressure on other emergency and public services. Yet many critical supports exist outside of Canada’s publicly funded health care system, forcing people to pay out of pocket or go without care altogether. Many Canadians are already making difficult choices between paying for groceries, housing and other essentials. They should not also have to choose between their financial security and life-saving mental health care. 

CMHA was in Charlottetown during the Council of the Federation summer meeting to engage provincial and territorial decision-makers on the future of the $5 billion in dedicated federal mental health funding. We underlined that governments must work together to prevent funding uncertainty when dedicated investments begin expiring in March 2027. 

CMHA applauds premiers for reinforcing that message, emphasizing that Ottawa must renew these health funding agreements and provide provinces and territories with the certainty needed to continue meeting the healthcare needs of Canadians.  

“Mental health is essential infrastructure for our economic prosperity,” said Marion Cooper, CMHA’s President and Lead Executive Officer. “Healthy people drive healthy economies. When Canadians can access community-led supports, they are more likely to stay in the workforce, support their families and contribute to the economy. Renewing dedicated investments is as much about protecting our economic wellbeing as is it is about sustaining services.”  

Alongside our engagement with provincial and territorial decision-makers, CMHA met with national health-sector partners to discuss common priorities and joined a collective statement on solutions that support the long-term sustainability of Canada’s health workforce and systems. 

CMHA continues to advocate for dedicated mental health and addictions investments in the next federal budget. Renewed agreements are essential to ensuring Canadians can receive timely supports, regardless of where they live or what they can afford. 

About the Canadian Mental Health Association   

Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is the most established, most extensive community mental health federation in Canada. Through a presence in more than 330 communities across every province and Yukon, CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive. For more information, please visit www.cmha.ca.   

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For media inquiries:    
Emma Higgins     
National Manager, Communications     
Canadian Mental Health Association     
ehiggins@cmha.ca