Respecting Ontario’s Patients

Government delivers on historic mental health commitment

Pickering-Uxbridge, ON – Ontario’s Government for the People is delivering on its promise to cut hospital wait times and end hallway healthcare with a historic commitment of $1.9 billion in funding over 10 years for mental health and addictions services to match the federal commitment.

“These investments will help reduce wait times by providing more supports for earlier intervention,” said MPP Peter Bethlenfalvy. “Patients struggling with mental health and addictions issues will be connected to crucial supports.”

The funding will also provide faster access to specialized care for patients by investing in more addictions services and beds through new or expanded Rapid Access Addiction Medicine clinics, as well as address specific service gaps for Indigenous peoples, children and youth.

“We need a relentless focus on getting people the help they need when it comes to mental health and addictions,” noted MPP Peter Bethlenfalvy. “It’s an integrated approach that connects patients to treatment and health and social services, including primary care, mental health supports, housing, and employment.”

To date, the Government is working to cut hospital wait times and end hallway health care by investing $300 million to support 6,000 new long-term care beds – the first wave of more than 15,000 new beds to be built over the next five years. The Province is also investing an additional $90 million in 1,100 new beds and spaces in hospitals and communities, including 640 new beds to prepare for flu season.