October 20, 2026, | Toronto, Ontario | Health Canada
Through Canada’s first-ever Black Justice Strategy, the Government of Canada is investing in initiatives that address substance use and addictions, support mental health, and help build healthier futures for Black communities.
Today, as part of this strategy, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced more than $6 million through the Substance Use and Addictions Program and the Supporting Community Mental Health Crisis Response Initiative.
The funded projects will support initiatives focused on:
- Increasing access to culturally safe substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports for Black communities;
- Offering peer mentorship, provider training, and culturally responsive service delivery;
- Helping Black youth and families through early intervention, mental health supports, and wellness programming;
- Enhancing the ability of community organizations to provide non-police-led intervention for Black individuals experiencing a mental health crisis; and
- Improving awareness, navigation, and coordination of substance use services while addressing stigma and systemic barriers to care.