2026 Pre-Budget Submission
From Stabilization to Sustainability:
Building a Stronger Child and Youth Mental Health System
Our 2026 Ontario Budget Recommendations
Wage parity in our system is the most effective and measurable action the government can take to protect recent investments, stabilize the CYMH workforce, and ensure access to services for infants, children, youth, and families across Ontario.
To achieve wage parity, CMHO is requesting a targeted, multi-year investment of approximately $70 million over three years, representing a phased approach to closing the wage gap between the community CYMH workforce and other sectors. This ask reflects an annual investment of approximately $23 million in additional funding per year.
Mental Health Needs Continue to Persist
Data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information show that 1 in 4 hospitalizations for children and youth are for mental health reasons, and 1 in 3 children and youth have unmet mental health needs.
Read our 2026 Pre-Budget Submission
CMHO and its members are committed, evidence-informed partners in this work. We are ready to collaborate with the government to implement solutions that protect recent progress and move the system forward in a responsible and sustainable way. Acting now allows Ontario to consolidate gains already made, reduce avoidable pressures across the system, and ensure that infants, children, youth, and families can access timely, high-quality mental health care when and where they need it.