Mary Simon launches $15M mental health initiative for Northern and Indigenous communities

Outgoing Governor General Mary Simon has unveiled a new project to boost mental health services in Northern and Indigenous communities. The initiative will provide funding for local programmes, addressing a pressing need in remote areas. Simon, who grew up in the Arctic, has long championed support for the region.

The project was announced as part of Simon’s wider efforts to improve conditions in Canada’s North. In 2024, she began a mental health learning and listening tour to better understand the challenges faced by these communities. She has repeatedly highlighted the severe shortage of mental health resources available there.

The federal government is contributing $5 million to get the project underway. An additional $10 million has been pledged to match funds raised by the Rideau Hall Foundation, which will help run the initiative. Prime Minister Mark Carney noted that Simon has consistently brought attention to the struggles of rural, remote, and Northern populations during her time in office.

The new programme will focus on community-based mental health services, aiming to fill gaps in care. With government and foundation backing, it is set to expand support for those in underserved areas. The project reflects Simon’s lifelong dedication to the Arctic and its people.