Statement on Federal Budget 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 5 NOVEMBER 2026

Joshua Bell welcomes federal commitments but calls for sustained funding, accessible mental health care, and a coordinated national plan to prevent suicide and save lives.

The federal government’s Budget 2026 includes important investments in mental health, addictions, community care, youth services, and supportive housing. These are welcome commitments. However, Canada still needs a comprehensive, fully funded National Suicide Prevention Strategy that brings these efforts together and makes preventing suicide a measurable national priority.

I recognize the importance of and welcome the proposed $1.2 billion to extend mental health and community care agreements with provinces and territories, $2 billion for community mental health and addictions facilities, and $7.5 million to continue supporting Kids Help Phone.

The budget also includes significant investments in homelessness and supportive housing, as well as funding for mental health services through the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program for First Nations and Inuit people.

I also welcome the federal government's separate $120.2 million investment to support the continued operation of Canada's 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline. This service is an essential lifeline for people experiencing a crisis. But crisis response must be one part of a much broader approach.

Mental health and suicide prevention are not just about crisis lines. They are about building a system that supports people throughout their lives and reaches them before they reach a breaking point.

That means addressing the full spectrum of mental health and wellness, including prevention and early intervention, accessible treatment and care, children and youth, crisis response and recovery, housing and social supports, Indigenous and underserved communities, families and suicide-loss survivors, and clear accountability mechanisms.

Canada has already established a National Suicide Prevention Action Plan. What is needed now is a clear, sustained commitment to implement and strengthen this work through a comprehensive national strategy, backed by dedicated funding, measurable targets, and coordination between federal, provincial, and territorial governments, Indigenous partners, service providers, and people with lived experience.

The federal government must answer a fundamental question: When will Canada commit to a fully funded, long-term National Suicide Prevention Strategy that addresses prevention, early intervention, treatment, crisis response, recovery, and support for families?

Every statistic represents a person, a family, and a community. I welcome investments that improve mental health services and keep 9-8-8 available to Canadians. But we cannot continue to focus primarily on responding when someone is already in crisis. We must invest in preventing that crisis, making care accessible, and ensuring no one is left to navigate the system alone.

Investing in mental health is essential. Supporting people at every stage of their journey is our responsibility. Preventing suicide must be our shared goal. For the federal government, that starts with answering the call.

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