Honourable senators, yesterday, I had the honour of marking the release of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s landmark report entitled The State of Mental Health in Canada 2024. This groundbreaking report provides a sobering picture of our mental health care system, with all its flaws and the challenges it faces, and describes the realities facing Canadians across the country. It also outlines some of the policy and legislative pathways that would make it possible to provide mental health, addiction and substance use care for everyone, regardless of where they live or work or their social situation.

Honourable senators, I invite you to read this innovative report.

I also have the honour of recognizing the work of Ms. Margaret Eaton, who has been the CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association, or CMHA, since 2020. As CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ms. Eaton has been a driving force in advancing mental health advocacy across Canada. She has championed the principle of mental health parity, demanding that mental health care receive the same attention and investment as physical health care. Under her visionary leadership, the CMHA has launched transformative initiatives such as the Act for Mental Health campaign, which calls for universal mental health care for all Canadians.

Ms. Eaton has also been an advocate for truth and reconciliation and was key in developing a federation-wide working group to promote the decolonization and indigenization of Canadian Mental Health Associations.

Prior to joining the CMHA, Ms. Eaton served for seven years as Executive Director of the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, spearheading innovative, collaborative efforts to integrate immigrants into the Greater Toronto Area’s workforce.

In 2012 she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her work in literacy and culture.

Ms. Eaton leaves the CMHA better aligned and more capable than ever to advocate for the mental well-being of all Canadians. As she begins a new chapter, I thank her on behalf of all senators and Canadians for her dedication and impact on mental health, substance abuse and addiction care across Canada.

Thank you, meegwetch.