Bill Detail
An Act to enact the Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Services Act and to make consequential amendments to the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act
This enactment enacts the Mental Health Parity Act, which sets out criteria and conditions in respect of mental health, addictions and substance use services that must be satisfied before a cash contribution may be made by the Government of Canada to a province in support of those services.
It also makes consequential amendments to the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act.
Bill C-280, if passed, would create the Mental Health Parity Act. This act would set conditions for federal cash contributions to provinces for mental health, addictions, and substance use services. Essentially, it aims to ensure that provinces meet certain criteria before receiving federal funding for these critical health services.
The bill is intended to address barriers that prevent many Canadians from accessing appropriate mental health care. It recognizes the high costs of untreated mental illness and the desire for increased access to community-based services through public health care plans. This legislation would affect provinces by tying federal funding to their provision of these services and, indirectly, all Canadians who would benefit from improved access to mental health and addiction support.