Reports to the Government of Canada.

The BC Crisis Line Network submits reports, recommendations, and responses to various Federal leaders and committees. The following is a breakdown of the work done by the Network to ensure the voices of our crisis lines are represented and our expertise is used to influence positive policy changes nation-wide. 

2023

Meeting with the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions of Canada, Ya’ara Saks​.
On November 21, 2023, Stacy Ashton and Slinder Bhatti from Chimo Community Services in Richmond met with Ya'ara Saks, the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions of Canada. The topic was on creating suicide-safer communities and the BC Crisis Line Network’s Submission to the Pre-Budget Consultations.

As part of this meeting, Minister Saks announced the launch of 9-8-8, the new National Suicide Prevention Line, which went live on November 30th. Many BC Crisis Line Network centres are part of the 40 centres supporting 9-8-8 across Canada.

​See more here.

​Standing Committee on Finance​.

The mandate of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance is to examine and enquire into all matters referred to it by the House of Commons, to report from time to time and, except when the House otherwise orders, to send for persons, papers and records, as it operates in accordance with its mandate.

The Standing Committee on Finance has the responsibility to consider budgetary policy. In particular, commencing on the first sitting day in September of each year, the Committee is authorized to consider and report on proposals regarding the budgetary policy of the government.

The BC Crisis Line Network submitted three recommendations to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance for the Pre-Budget Consultations in advance of the 2024 Federal Budget. These recommendations aim to reshape and bolster mental health crisis services nationwide and pave the way for a robust national suicide prevention framework.
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• Recommendation 1: That the government disentangles entrenched police forces from mental health crisis services by appropriately funding pathways to alternative non-police response programs, including pathways from 9-1-1 and 9-8-8 to local crisis lines and community-based mobile crisis response teams, and reviewing federal policy and legislation that perpetuate reliance on police as mental health first responders.
• Recommendation 2: That the government create a permanent annual Canada Mental Health and Substance Use Health Transfer equivalent to 6% of provincial/territorial health care spending ($2.65B) going to community based mental health services, including local crisis lines, and a mental health crisis response system nested in a robust health and social safety net.
• Recommendation 3: That the government provide funding to update the Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention as per the 11 recommendations made by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology in the “Doing What Works: Rethinking the Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention” report. 

​Read the full submission here. 

​Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs,
Science and Technology​​.

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology has the mandate to examine legislation and to study issues related to cultural affairs and the arts, social and labour matters, health and welfare, pensions and housing.  It is also responsible for considering fitness and amateur sport, employment and immigration, consumer affairs and youth affairs.

On June 8, 2023, the Committee released their report Doing What Works: Rethinking
the Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention. The BC Crisis Line Network responded to the report by sending a media release the following day. The media release stated the following:

As a leader across North America in suicide prevention, training and quality assurance, the BC Crisis Line Network commends the Senate Committee for their diligent work in rethinking Canada’s approach to suicide prevention.

"Suicide prevention requires a multifaceted approach that involves individuals, communities, and policymakers working together,” says Stacy Ashton, Chair of the BC Crisis Line Network.

“We have been working closely with 9-8-8, the Provincial Health Services Authority, and the Canadian Mental Health Association to ensure 24/7 access to a crisis care continuum that meets people where they are in suicidal crisis, provides culturally-safe socioeconomic and mental health support without over-relying on police and coercive psychiatric interventions, and continues care until the person in crisis is back in control of their lives."

Effective suicide prevention requires looking at more than mental health. "Suicide stems from crisis, and crisis has many beginnings," says Stacy Ashton. "National suicide prevention plans that include strong means prevention initiatives, like suicide barriers on bridges, early education for youth, and healthy social safety nets to keep folks out of economic despair are the most effective in bringing suicide rates down."

Ashton emphasizes the significance of the Senate Committee's report: "We are grateful to the Senate Committee for their thorough examination of the pressing issue of suicide prevention. This report reinforces the importance of taking a comprehensive, nuanced, and collaborative approach to address the complex factors contributing to suicide in Canada."

We look forward to continued collaboration with government agencies, community
organizations, and stakeholders to implement the recommendations outlined in the report and make a meaningful impact in preventing suicides nationwide.