Organizations laud budget commitments to support the most vulnerable in Ontario

For Immediate Release/March 22, 2007 - (Toronto) Ontario’s 2007 budget recognized the need to support and expand addiction services in Ontario and contains an important commitment to support many of Ontario’s most vulnerable. These commitments are welcomed by four of Ontario's leading mental health and addiction organizations.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario, the Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs (OFCMHAP), Addictions Ontario, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) today welcomed the provincial budget’s commitment to allocate $7 million to expand addiction services in Ontario. Commitment to increase capacity within children’s mental health care and the continuation of the government’s ongoing investment in community mental health will strengthen addiction and mental health services in Ontario.

“The commitment to expand addiction services is an important recognition of the critical need for a sustained response to the needs of those with addiction problems,” said Catherine Hardman, President of Addictions Ontario.

“Those of us who work in the addictions sector know that we must respond to those who need our help,” said David Kelly, Executive Director, OFCMHAP. “The government’s investment acknowledges the need to expand and improve these services.”

“This budget continues a sustained commitment to community mental health that has been an important achievement of this government,” said Michelle Gold, Senior Director of Policy and Programs for the Canadian Mental Health Association-Ontario.

“This budget makes important commitments to the most vulnerable in our society, including those with addictions and mental illness,” said Paul Garfinkel, President and CEO of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. “Increased support for persons with disabilities and investment in Ontario’s addiction sector are necessary and overdue.”

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For more information or to schedule interviews, contact:

Michael Torres, CAMH (416) 595-6015; Michelle Gold, CMHA, Ontario, (416) 977-5580 ext. 4131; David Kelly, OFCMHAP (416) 490-8900 ext. 22; Catherine Hardman Addictions Ontario (519) 271-6730 ext. 24