On November 27th, 2018, MPP Bhutila Karpoche tabled her Bill 63, the Right to Timely Mental Health and Addictions Care for Children and Youth Act, in the legislature. Bill 63 requires the Minister to ensure that a person who is less than 26 years old, resides in Ontario, and has been deemed to require a mental health or addiction service receives access to the required mental health or addiction service within 30 days of being deemed to require the service.
Though the bill received all-party, unanimous support at Second Reading on February 21st, the government is now holding it up at committee.
Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office revealed a $69 million cut from the Child and Youth Mental Health Program in the budget this year. Instead of increasing supports, Ford is leaving more children and youth on longer wait lists.
How you can help:
Children and youth are #DoneWaiting for mental health and addictions care and need your help to urge the government to begin hearings on the bill, so that it can move forward to Third Reading. Martha McGroarty, one of the leading forces behind this bill, has written a draft letter you can download and send to members of the committee. Please see attachment for this letter.
It is very important that members of the committee know that there are many people across this province who want to see this bill become law. Please take a moment to reach out to members of the committee and encourage them to pass Bill 63 immediately. Contact information is provided in the link below:
https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/committees/general-government/parliament-42/members
Thank you for your assistance and support for Bill 63.