May 23, 2025
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages
Cabinet Committee Chair - Quality of Life and Well-Being
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Re: Cabinet Committee - Quality of Life and Well-Being
Dear Minister Guilbeault
On behalf of the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW), I am writing you in your critical role as Chair of the Quality of Life and Well-Being Cabinet Committee.
First and foremost, CASW urges all members of the Quality of Life and Well-Being Cabinet Committee to hold steadfast against any legislation and regulatory agenda that moves the Government of Canada away from a public health approach to substance use, mental health and crime. There is no sustainable economic progress without equitable social progress.
Over the past decade, successive Liberal governments enacted a vision that supported a harm reduction approach to substance use while investing in mental health through bi-lateral agreements with the provincial and territorial governments.
CASW was extremely supportive of Government leadership that facilitated the opening of new safe injection sites, renewed harm reduction as a pillar in the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy, and the adopted of the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act. As well, importantly, repealing of mandatory minimum sentencing, for certain drug offences – all affirming a public health approach to problematic substance use.
From a social work perspective, a public health approach seeks to maintain and improve the health of populations based on the principles of social justice, attention to human rights and equity, evidence-informed policy and practice, and addressing the underlying social determinants of health. Accordingly, we know that individuals struggling with substance use face many barriers to care and need support and compassionate understanding – not criminalization.
To this end, CASW fully supports the continued advancement of a comprehensive strategy to address problematic substance use in Canada. This includes supporting efforts to improve public education to reduce stigma and supporting provinces and territories and working with Indigenous communities to provide access to a full range of evidence-based treatment and harm reduction services.
In this regard, CASW is very supportive of housing being prioritized in the mandate of this Government. CASW urges that the Quality of Life and Well-Being Committee to look beyond affordable housing and prioritize Housing First - an evidence-based approach that provides a foundation people to build their lives and address other needs, such as mental health, substance use, and employment.
Finally, in terms of creating structural change, the next vital step in supporting Canadians’ mental health and well-being is to establish mental health parity: the simple idea that all those who live in Canada should have access to mental health and substance use services in the same way they can rely on services for physical health. As a priority, CASW advocates that the Quality of Life and Well-Being prioritize a major study of the concept of mental health parity to determine the best way forward in achieving this important goal.
Social workers across Canada are working determinedly to address the ongoing and devastating opioid crisis, often impeded by the continued criminalization of substance use throughout Canada.
CASW is confident that this renewed Liberal Government will build on previous government’s strong track record of making targeted investments and delivering historic strategies to address Canadians’ overall quality of life and wellbeing.
Sincerely,
Barb Whitenect, MSW, RSW
CASW President
cc. Membership of Cabinet Committee - Quality of Life and Well-Being
The Hon. Julie Dabrusin (Vice-Chair)
The Hon. Jill McKnight
The Hon. Marjorie Michel
The Hon. Eleanor Olszewski
The Hon. Rebecca Alty
The Hon. Mandy Gull-Masty
The Hon. Patty Hajdu
The Hon. Rechie Valdez
The Hon. Sean Fraser
The Hon. Heath MacDonald
The Hon. Joanne Thompson