Small Urban Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area Mayors meet with Deputy Premier in Caledon

Health care and mental health discussed in meeting at Humber River Centre

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A meeting on health care and community-based mental health supports was held in Caledon last Friday.

On February 16, Small Urban Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) Mayors met with Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Michael A. Tibollo, at the newly-opened Humber River Centre (HRC) in Bolton.

Steve Pellegrini, Mayor of King and Chair of the Small Urban GTHA Mayors group, said in a media release that a wide variety of topics were covered at the meeting, such as health care wait times, funding of medical schools and hospitals, and attracting health care professionals.

Pellegrini said Jones provided an overview of recent health care policy changes in Ontario, and shared that plans are underway for “as of right” practice-ready assessments which would remove equivalency barriers for internationally-educated individuals.

Pellegrini said Tibollo spoke of the impact mental health is having on communities in Ontario. He said the Province is working on building a data-driven system to provide access to treatment, therapies, and after-care support services for individuals with anxiety, depression, and addiction issues. 

“This would support a healthy workforce and, over time, also help address homelessness,” wrote Pellegrini.

He said the Small Urban GTHA Mayors are appreciative of the Province's efforts to provide quality health care to residents.

“We acknowledge the great advancements made towards mental health wrap-around services and community supports for youth, children and adults,” said Pellegrini. “However, we recognize that more work needs to be done, especially in regard to aftercare initiatives and building medical schools to accommodate residencies.”