Increasing Access to Mental Health Courts

According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, 40% of people living with mental illness are arrested at least once in their lives. People facing mental health problems and illnesses need treatment, not to be criminalized.

Mental Health Courts are designed to address the needs of people before the criminal justice system who have mental health conditions and help them access the treatment and community supports they need to get better and avoid reoffending.

A re-elected Liberal government will:

  • Work with provinces and territories to help all Canadians have greater access to mental health courts and provide people suffering from mental health illnesses with a path to recovery.
  • Expand access to culturally appropriate, trauma-informed mental health services for Indigenous peoples that access treatment through mental health courts.