Kayla Sills

That the federal government reinstate Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCCs) as eligible providers in unregulated provinces under the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) and Jordan’s Principle programs, and commit to reforming these programs to ensure culturally safe, equitable, and inclusive access to mental health services for First Nations and Inuit peoples. That the federal government enact the Mental Health and Substance Use Health Care for All Parity Act and commit to sustainable funding. That the federal government strengthen mental health services in rural, remote, and northern communities by expanding the Canada Student Loan forgiveness program to include counsellors, psychotherapists, and counselling therapists, supporting both access to care and workforce recruitment.

Pew is working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners to help build public and political support to designate 110 million acres of Arctic tundra and other valuable lands under the Nunavut Land Use Plan. Pew is working with partners to ensure that Canada finalizes marine protected areas and enacts sustainable management policies for fishing and shipping outside protected areas. Pew is working with Indigenous leaders and local partners to develop project finance for permanence deals in Canada to support protected and conserved areas, livelihood development and create durable finance. Pew is working to establish regulations regarding fisheries management, that improve management of Canada’s resources, reduce impact on non-target marine species, and protect important marine habitats and ecosystems.