Public Policy

CAMH promotes positive system change by working collaboratively on issues like housing, income supports, health care reform and many others that affect the health of people with mental illness and addictions.

CAMH is committed to advocating for public policies that are responsive to the needs of people with addiction and mental health problems and to working with others to achieve this goal. Since 1999, CAMH has dedicated resources to public policy development. With input from staff, clients, family and stakeholders, CAMH has advocated for changes in government policies in areas like housing, income supports, harm reduction, mandatory drug testing, and health care reform.

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In this section:

What's New:

February 2010:

- CAMH hosted the Canadian launch of the new book, Drug Policy and the Public Good, on Monday, February 22, 2010. The two hour presentation featuring three of the books authors (Dr. Thomas Babor, Dr. Benedikt Fischer and Dr. Jurgen Rehm) as well as Canadian experts, Dr. Perry Kendall and Liz Janzen can be viewed online at http://mediasite.otn.ca/mediasite41/Viewer/?peid=0eae42948bc44b1ea2887e32063a1bef. For copies of the slides for the presentations please email, Janine Luce, Manager Public Policy, at Janine_luce@camh.net.

January 2010:

- CAMH hosted its national partner, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, for a panel presentation Substance Use and Abuse 2010: Emerging Priorities on January 19, 2010. This presentation can be viewed online at: http://mediasite.otn.ca/mediasite41/Viewer/?peid=abf1e77e2bb64fa5af85d3531476d251. For more information about this event, please contact Janine Luce, Manager Public Policy, CAMH at janine_luce@camh.net.

- Response to Human Rights Mental Health Strategy for Ontario: Public Consultation Paper, January 2010 (PDF only).
- Employment and Education for People with Mental Illness: Discussion Paper, January, 2010 (PDF only).

November 2009:

- CAMH written submission to the Standing Committee on Regulations and
Private Bills on Bill 106, An Act to provide for safer communities and neighbourhoods (PDF only)
- Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills – Hansard Transcript Wednesday November 25, 2009 (external link)

October 2009:

- Letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty regarding tobacco damages and health care cost recovery legislation, October 1, 2009 / PDF

- Letter to Minister Chris Bentley regarding tobacco damages and health care cost recovery legislation, October 1, 2009 / PDF

July 2009:

- Joint Submission to the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Long-term Affordable Housing Consultation Session, July 2009 (PDF only)

June 2009:

- Submission to the Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions, June 2009 (PDF only)

May 2009:

- CAMH submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Bill C-15, May, 2009 (PDF only) / Also available in French