Open Letter to the Prime Minister on the Elimination of the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

14 March 2025

Rt. Hon. Mark Carney
Prime Minister of Canada
pm@pm.gc.ca
mark.carney@pm.gc.ca

cc’d: Hon. Kamal Khera, Minister of Health; Stephen Ellis, CPC Shadow Minister for Health; Todd Doherty, CPC Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention; Laila Goodridge, CPC Shadow Minister for Addictions; Chad Collins, MP for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek; Hon. Filomena Tassi, MP for Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas; Lisa Hepfner, MP for Hamilton Mountain; Dan Muys, MP for Flamborough-Glanbrook; Matthew Green, MP for Hamilton Centre

Re: Elimination of the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Portfolio

Dear Rt. Hon. Mark Carney,

On 14 March 2025, you appointed a new Cabinet for Canada and eliminated the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions portfolio.

This decision to eliminate the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions portfolio is a disappointment to hundreds of thousands of Canadians across the country, including people like myself who have been strong advocates for mental health and those who have lived or have ongoing experience with mental health challenges, suicide, or addictions issues.

While the Government of Canada has made a great effort the last number of years to ensure that care can be delivered to the people who need it most, this change puts into question this government's commitment to those affected by mental health and addictions issues and your commitment to ensuring access to resources, care, and support to those who are currently struggling and those who provide support.

I strongly urge you and your government to appoint a new Minister of Mental Health and Addictions immediately and show Canadians and those who are suffering that you are taking this mental health and addictions crisis seriously.

Sincerely,

[signed in original]

JOSHUA BELL
Community Leader & Mental Health Advocate
josh@joshuamjbell.ca

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