Statement from Emily Foster on behalf of Children’s Mental Health Ontario, October 16, 2026

“A one-year extension of federal funding for mental health, addictions and home and community care is a first step, but it is not enough for Ontario’s children, youth and families.

Today’s meeting of federal, provincial and territorial health ministers confirmed that the $1.2 billion extension is temporary bridging funding, while work continues toward longer-term agreements. We welcome the commitment to continue those discussions, but children, youth and families need more than another year of uncertainty.

Children’s Mental Health Ontario recognizes and thanks Ontario’s Minister of Health Sylvia Jones and the Ministry of Health for their leadership and sustained advocacy to protect this critical federal investment. We also acknowledge federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s commitment to work with provinces and territories toward longer-term funding arrangements.

Across Ontario, community child and youth mental health agencies serve more than 130,000 young people annually. Investments over the past decade have strengthened services and built capacity, but the need for care remains significant.

Approximately 35% of Ontario children and youth aged 5 to 17 with a mental health disorder have unmet mental health needs. Average waits have reached 120 days for counselling and therapy and 105 days for intensive treatment services.

Our agencies are already facing workforce pressures, including challenges recruiting and retaining skilled mental health professionals. Year-to-year funding uncertainty makes it harder to plan services, protect existing capacity and respond to the needs of children, youth and families.

We urge the federal government to work with provinces and territories to establish a long-term, sustainable funding agreement that protects existing services, supports the workforce and improves access to community-based mental health treatment. Children and youth must be explicitly recognized in those commitments.

We’ve made progress. We cannot afford to lose ground now.”