Make federal funding permanent for Canada’s suicide crisis helpline, say Conservative and NDP critics

Long-time mental health advocates Conservative MP Todd Doherty and NDP MP Gord Johns say their passion for the subject is personal.

NDP MP Gord Johns, left, was named his party’s mental health and addictions critic in 2021 and continues his advocacy in his current role as health critic. Conservative MP Todd Doherty began his formal focus on the mental health file in 2020 when he was named special adviser on mental health and wellness.The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

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BY TESSIE SANCI

January 26, 2026

While the federal Liberals’ move to renew funding for 988, the suicide crisis helpline, is receiving support from both the Conservative addictions critic and NDP health critic, they are also asking why the government is focusing on short-term investments.

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