Friday, October 31, 2025 was a lively day at CAMH’s Queen Street campus - and across Toronto. Staff showed up to work in creative Halloween costumes and Toronto Blue Jays gear and at CAMH, there was one more reason to celebrate.
CAMH hosted Maggie Chi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, along with our MP for Spadina- Harbourfront Chi Nguyen and MP for Parkdale-High Park Karim Bardeesy, for an exciting announcement from Health Canada about new investments through the Substance Use and Addiction Program (SUAP).
This funding supports organizations across the country that are working to improve health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use.
“Helping people reduce harm or quit altogether is such an important part of what we do,” said Dr. Leslie Buckley, CAMH’s Chief of Addictions. “This investment allows us to reach even more people—especially in rural and remote areas where access to support can be limited.”
Problematic substance use continues to take lives at an alarming rate, contributing to what experts call “deaths of despair.” Each year, more than 74,000 substance-attributable deaths occur in Canada—over 200 every single day.
Through the SUAP funding, CAMH will expand programs that help people quit tobacco use, particularly in communities where smoking cessation supports are hardest to access. Tobacco use alone is responsible for 45,000 deaths annually in Canada, and quitting dramatically improves both health and life expectancy.
Thanks to this federal support, CAMH will launch SmokeFreeConnect, a new initiative designed to help people in rural and remote areas quit smoking—together.
Led by Dr. Michael Chaiton and the team at CAMH’s INTREPID Lab, SmokeFreeConnect will combine virtual support with community-based engagement. The program is designed to bridge gaps in access, offering tools and connection to help people take the next step toward quitting.
“The power of connection is at the heart of this initiative,” said Dr. Chaiton. “Participants can come together, share experiences, and support one another through the process. The idea of quitting together—as a community—makes this approach especially meaningful and sustainable.” SmokeFreeConnect will work in collaboration with the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Canada, Canadian Lung Association, and Canadian Public Health Association.
Our strategic plan ConnectedCAMH emphasizes community-driven, equitable solutions to mental health and addiction care. Programs like SmokeFreeConnect reflect that vision, ensuring that no one and no community are left behind.
“This announcement brings hope—for the future of care, for those who want to quit tobacco or other substances, and for communities that have long faced barriers to accessing support.” said Sarah Downey, CAMH President and CEO. As Canada continues to confront the harms of substance use, this funding marks an important step forward in supporting innovation and improving access to care.
You can learn more about other programs funded by the SUAP here, and view more photos from the announcement on CAMH social media channels.
