Ontario Expands Mental Health and Substance Use Support for Frontline Workers

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published April 4, 2026

Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتساب

The federal government has announced C$15 million in funding to expand mental health and substance use services for frontline workers, first responders and public safety personnel in Ontario, according to Health Canada in Toronto on April 1, 2026.

Health Canada said the funding will support two new facilities in the Greater Toronto Area through Runnymede Healthcare Centre, with services including crisis support, outpatient care, residential treatment, virtual care and recovery support.

According to the published agreement, the first site will be Station No. 3434 at 3434 Dundas Street West in Toronto, serving as the main outpatient hub for assessment, routine and intensive therapy, and aftercare. The second site, the Caledon Recovery Centre, will provide 40 residential treatment beds with an average stay of 30 days, as well as one intensive monitoring bed for withdrawal management.

Runnymede Healthcare Centre estimates that more than 36,000 first responders in Ontario are affected by post-traumatic stress injuries, with the number expected to rise above 46,000 by 2040. The agreement says the new centre is expected to provide care to about 1,500 workers each year through up to 41,700 visits. Target groups include police officers, firefighters, correctional officers, paramedics and frontline healthcare workers.

The federal government said the new funding builds on more than C$10.7 million already announced by Ontario, with planning and construction expected to begin in 2027.