Bill C-201 — Canada Health Act (Mental Health & Addictions)
Bill C-201 An Act to amend the Canada Health Act (Mental, Addictions and Substance Use Health Services)
Bill Type: Private Member’s
Bill Sponsor: Gord Johns (Courtenay—Alberni)
Status: This Bill received Royal Assent on Thursday, March 26, 2026
This Bill is about mental health and addictions. It would require every Province to cover mental health and addictions treatment under their Public Health Insurance Plan — the same way a broken arm or a hospital stay is covered today.
WHO GAINS POWER
- Provinces gain a new obligation to cover mental health, addictions and substance use services under their health insurance plans
- Community-based health providers gain recognition as insured service providers
WHO LOSES POWER
- Provinces lose discretion to exclude mental health and addictions services from their insured plans
- Non-compliant Provinces risk losing Federal health transfers
WHO GAINS MONEY
- Community mental health and addictions service providers — now eligible for Provincial insurance billing
- Patients who currently pay out of pocket for these services
WHO LOSES MONEY
- Provincial Governments — expanded insured services mean expanded costs
- Private insurers may see reduced demand for mental health coverage they currently sell
THE CATCH
- The Bill adds mental health and addictions services to the definition of "insured health services" — but does not define which specific services qualify
- "Community settings" is included but not defined — Provinces decide what that means in practice
- No new Federal funding is attached — Provinces absorb the cost