If you are in an emergency, in crisis or need someone to talk to, there is help.

View Crisis Resources
Skip to content
  • Contact Us
  • No One Left Behind
  • Join our team
  • Referral Form
  • Virtual Urgent Care
  • Accessibility
CAMH logo
  • Patients and Families
    • Main Page
    • Access CAMH & Referral Form
      • Access CAMH

        Centralized information, intake and scheduling. Access CAMH makes it easy to find support – simply call 416-535-8501, option 2.

      • Referral Form

        For mental health services, a referral form needs to be completed by a healthcare provider. For addictions services, patient can self-refer.

    • Programs & Services
      • Addictions/Substance Use
      • Alzheimer’s & Dementia
      • Anxiety & Depression
      • Concurrent Disorders
      • Developmental Disabilities
      • Mood & Personality Disorders
      • Problem Gambling
      • Schizophrenia & Psychosis
      • Trauma & Stress Disorders
      • Virtual Mental Health and Outreach
      • Other
    • Information for Patients
      • Patient Wellness and Patient Engagement at CAMH
      • What to expect
      • Your Rights
      • Patient and Family Feedback
      • Visiting CAMH

        Planning on visiting CAMH? Find contact information, directions and accessibility for each of our three main sites.

    • Information for Families
      • Family Resource Centre
      • Patient and Family Feedback
      • Visiting CAMH

        Planning on visiting CAMH? Find contact information, directions and accessibility for each of our three main sites.

    • Patient and Family Engagement
      • Patient and Family Partners Program
      • Information and resources
      • Get Involved in Research
      • Volunteer at CAMH
    • Visiting CAMH
      • Visiting CAMH

        Planning on visiting CAMH? Find contact information, directions and accessibility for each of our three main sites.

        Read More
    • MyCAMH
  • Health Info
    • Main Page
    • Mental Illness & Addiction Index
      • Conditions & Disorders
      • Medication Therapies
      • Substance Use
      • Types of Treatment
      • Information in Other Languages
    • Mental Health 101
      • Mental Health 101

        Use this series of free online tutorials as the starting point to learn about and understand a wide range of mental health topics.

        Read More
    • Guides & Publications
      • Guides & Publications

        Accessible, reliable, professionally produced resources on an array of mental health topics for patients, families, students and professionals.

        Read More
    • Crisis Resources
      • Crisis Resources

        If you are in an emergency, in crisis or need someone to talk to, there is a list of resources available for areas in and around Toronto.

        Read More
    • CAMH Store
      • CAMH Store

        The CAMH Store offers a wide array of mental illness and addiction resources for patients, families, students and professionals. Search or browse our catalogue of brochures and booklets, textbooks, manuals and assessment tools.

        Read More
    • CAMH Library
      • CAMH Library

        Open to professionals and the general public, our comprehensive resources and services support and enhance CAMH's research and clinical programs, and they facilitate learning, dynamic knowledge exchange and health promotion initiatives.

        Read More
    • Workplace Mental Health Playbook
    • Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic
      • Coping with stress & anxiety
      • Quarantine & isolation
      • Stigma and prejudice
      • Loss, grief and healing
      • Covid-19 Resources for Health Care Workers
  • Research
    • Main Page
    • Research to Drive Change
    • The Discovery Fund
      • The Discovery Fund

        Fuelling the next generation of groundbreaking research and innovation dedicated to finding the causes of and cures for mental illness.

        Read More
    • Research Centres
      • Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre
      • Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry
      • Brain Health Imaging Centre
      • Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder
      • Cundill Centre for Child and Youth Depression
      • Institute for Mental Health Policy Research
      • Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics
      • Slaight Family Centre for Youth in Transition
      • Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics
      • Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention
      • The Margaret and Wallace McCain Centre for Child Youth & Family Mental Health
    • Clinical Divisions
      • Addictions Division
      • Adult Neurodevelopmental and Geriatric Psychiatry Division
      • Child and Youth Psychiatry Division
      • Forensic Psychiatry Division
      • General and Health Systems Psychiatry Division
      • Psychology Division
      • Schizophrenia Division
    • Participate in Research
      • Research Connect FAQs
      • Research Ethics
    • Research Ethics
    • Koerner Centre for Research Training
      • Koerner Centre for Research Training

        Each year CAMH provides opportunities to the next generation of scientists: today’s undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Train in a unique learning environment and help contribute to the breakthrough mental health research and treatments of tomorrow

        Read More
    • Science & Research Staff Directory
      • Our Scientific Staff
      • Research Chairs at CAMH
    • Industry Partnerships & Technology Transfer Office
      • Spinoffs
      • Co-Development and Commercialization
    • Digital Innovation Hub
  • Education
    • Main Page
    • Continuing Education Programs and Courses
      • Find the Course That's Right for You

        Browse our entire selection of certificate programs, webinars and workshops.

      • Workplace Education and Consulting Services

        View our full list of workplace mental health workshops and consulting services

    • Collaborative Learning College
    • Simulation Centre
    • TIDES
    • Student Centre
    • Clinical & Research Opportunities for Professionals in Training
      • Clinical Psychology Training Programs
      • Community-Based Research Fellowship
      • Graduate & Post-Doctoral Fellowships in Public Health Policy
      • Clinical & Research Opportunities for Professionals in Training

        Study in a world-class setting to become a leader in the field of mental health.

    • Research in Education
      • Academic & Education Research Excellence
      • Health Equity and Inclusion Framework for Education and Training
    • Evaluation
    • Workplace Mental Health Workshops and Consulting
    • CAMH Education Contacts
  • Professionals
    • Main Page
    • Treating Conditions & Disorders
      • Adult ADHD
      • NAVIGATE - Treating Psychosis in Youth
      • CARIBOU - Treating depression in youth
      • Alcohol Use
      • Anxiety Disorders
      • Dementia
      • Depression
      • Suicide Risk
      • Fundamentals of Addiction
      • Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
      • Mania
      • OCD
      • Opioid use and opioid use disorder
      • Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
      • Personality Disorders
      • Psychosis
      • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
      • Sleep Disorders
      • Smoking Cessation
      • Virtual Mental Health
    • Professionals Projects
      • Climate Change and Mental Health
      • Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities
      • Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project
      • Opioid Use in Primary Care Conference 2024
    • Networks
      • Psychiatry Partnerships with Northern Communities
    • Covid-19 Resources for Health Care Workers
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
  • Get Involved
    • Main Page
    • Ways to Donate
      • Give Monthly
      • Give In Memory or In Honour
      • Start a Fundraiser
      • Gifts of Celebration
      • Leave a Gift in Your Will
      • Employee Giving
      • Donate Goods & Services
      • Gifts of Securities
      • Canvassers & Callers
      • Make a one-time donation

        With your support, CAMH researchers are revolutionizing the ways we diagnose, treat, and prevent mental illness. Donate today.

    • Join the Cause
      • Corporate Partnerships
      • Business Leaders for Mental Health
      • CAMH Engage
      • womenmind
      • Visionary Society
      • Michael Wilson Society
      • Volunteer at CAMH
    • Making a Real Impact
      • Making a Real Impact

        Real stories of courage, hope and discovery. Made possible through your continued support of CAMH.

        Read More
  • Driving Change
    • Main Page
    • About CAMH
      • Leadership Team Directory
      • Performance & Accountability
      • The Role of CAMH Foundation
      • For Reporters
      • Events Calendar
      • For Our Neighbours
      • Contact CAMH
      • Careers at CAMH

        By working at CAMH, you can help people affected by mental illness and support their recovery. Join the team. Everyone who works at CAMH becomes an advocate for mental health.

    • The Crisis is Real
      • The Crisis is Real

        We are in the grips of a crisis that ruins health, threatens lives and hurts economies. Knowing the facts is the first step in creating hope.

      • Mental Health Statistics

        The latest facts and statistics on mental illness and addiction, who's affected and their impact on Canadians.

    • Addressing Stigma
      • Addressing Stigma

        Challenging the stigma associated with mental illness takes understanding, education and a closer look at our own attitudes toward health.

        Read More
    • The Mental Health Facility of the Future
      • The Mental Health Facility of the Future

        Turning what was once a walled institution into a symbol of hope for the future of mental health care.

      • Vision & Guiding Principles

        How do you replace an institution with an urban village? Lots of planning, imagination and a long-term commitment to serving patients, staff and the community.

      • History of Queen Street Site

        Our history—evolving from an asylum into a modern health facility with patients at the centre of care—is the history of mental health care in Canada.

    • Influencing Public Policy
      • Influencing Public Policy

        CAMH advocates for policies that are responsive to the needs of people with mental illness and addictions.

        Read More
    • Health Equity
      • Health Equity

        CAMH believes in the principle of equity. We respect the diversity of the individuals and communities we serve.

        Read More
    • Shkaabe Makwa
    • CAMH News & Stories
    • Strategic Plan
    • Contact Us
    • No One Left Behind
    • Join our team
    • Referral Form
    • Virtual Urgent Care
    • Accessibility

Canada Research Continuity Emergency Fund: Public Accountability & Transparency

CAMH Logo
  • Canada Research Continuity Emergency Fund: Public Accountability & Transparency
Back to top
  • Home
  • Research
  • Canada Research Continuity Emergency Fund

1. Overview

On May 15, 2020, the Prime Minister announced $450 million in funding to help Canada’s academic research community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The investment is designed to do the following:

  • Provide wage supports to universities and health research institutes so they can retain research staff who are funded from industry or philanthropic sources and are unable to access some of the government’s existing COVID-19 support measures. The government will provide up to 75 per cent of the eligible portion of eligible research personnel’s wages, with a maximum of $847 per week for up to 12 weeks per individual, within the eligibility period of March 15, 2020 to August 29, 2020.
  • Support universities and health research institutes to maintain essential research-related activities during the crisis, and to ramp back up to full research operations once physical distancing measures are eased. This will cover up to 75 per cent of total eligible costs, and will support activities, such as the safe storage of dangerous substances and restarting data sets, that were interrupted during the pandemic.

The Canada Research Continuity Emergency Fund (CRCEF) was launched by the Tri-Agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS) a few weeks later on June 23, 2020.

 

2. CAMH and its benefits from CRCEF

CAMH is Canada’s leading mental health research hospital, and one of the world’s leading research centres in its field, including addiction. We aim to revolutionize the understanding of the brain, use evidence to drive social change and optimize care, and inspire hope for those with mental illness.

Research at CAMH has been severely impacted by COVID-19, and we are deeply appreciative that the Government of Canada has recognized this negative impact in the creation of the CRCEF. This funding will help us to maintain staff and essential activities during the pandemic-related slowdown of or interruption to research, and as we resume full research operations under new circumstances.

 

3. Method of distribution of CRCEF funds across CAMH and the Toronto Academic Health Science Network in each stage of the program

Stages 1 and 2

Upon confirmation by the Tri-Agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS) of program specifications for the CRCEF program through CAMH’s affiliation with the University of Toronto (lead institution) and the Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN), a CRCEF Steering Committee was established. The committee includes representatives from 12 TAHSN hospital research institutes and the University of Toronto, and is complemented by a TAHSN CRCEF Data Working Group, comprising financial/research operations representatives of each of the 12 institutions. Each group is diverse in its makeup, and all members of each group have undertaken unconscious bias training.

The lead institution, the University of Toronto, undertook an analysis to determine “notional allocations” across the 12 TAHSN institutions, using to the full extent possible the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO)-informed formula/data applied by TIPS in determining the TAHSN Stage 1 allocation of $41.6 million. The allocations and supporting data were shared with CAMH and the other TAHSN affiliates. Open and transparent exchange of information has been a cornerstone of engagement throughout the process, consistent with our approach to all matters of shared interest over many years. Together, and in consultation with TIPS, the 12 institutions confirmed a common approach to determining CRCEF-eligible funding sources and full-time equivalent staff (FTE).

Given the timing of the receipt of the Stage 1 payment by TIPS to the University of Toronto, CAMH and the other TAHSN institutions were able to complete their Stage 1- and 2-eligible wage subsidy analyses, rendering data regarding the eligible head count and wage subsidy expense for both Stages 1 and 2. This enabled the University of Toronto to clarify the exact amounts required at each stage for each institution. These actuals (and projections to August 29, 2020) were entered on the Convergence Portal, confirming our shared need for the full $41.6 million allocated to the TAHSN system in Stage 1, and an additional $9 million sought through Stage 2. The proportion allocated to CAMH in Stage 1 is $1.86 million and $190,000 sought through Stage 2. The University of Toronto has entered into an inter-institutional agreement with each of the affiliated hospitals/research institutes to enable transfer of funds upon receipt from TIPS.

Stage 3

Funding for this stage of CRCEF support will follow the same principles and processes as in Stages 1 and 2, with oversight from the Steering Committee and coordinated implementation by the Working Group. We will continue to develop common implementation parameters, in consultation with TIPS.

4. Equity, diversity and inclusion in decision-making on CRCEF funding

It is important to understand that CAMH is a separately incorporated, independent employer, with its own governance and management structures. Therefore, CAMH is responsible for the management of CRCEF-allocated funding, and for complying with the program requirements.

At CAMH, a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) imbues all institutional processes and decision-making. CAMH’s strategy for equity, diversity and inclusion decision-making for the use of CRCEF funds fits within broader EDI policies and practices that are incorporated into the numerous selection/allocation opportunities that are undertaken on a daily basis. 

EDI was discussed at the outset of the process and revisited in every CRCEf related internal decision making meeting. Based on the final funding received in Stages 1 and 2, equity informed decisions were not required. Recognizing that in subsequent stages funding may not be disseminated to all applicants that have put forward expenses for consideration, the following equity practices have been employed:

  • Collecting demographic information that enables EDI-informed decisions.
  • The CRCEF Funding Committee (CFC) responsible for overseeing the institutional allocation approach is comprised of individuals representing equity seeking groups.
  • All members have completed unconscious bias training, and relevant CAMH EDI policies are referenced and discussed at the beginning of all CFC meetings.
  • Decision-making processes recognize and value research that is non-traditional or unconventional based in Indigenous ways of knowing, outside the mainstream of the discipline, or focused on issues of gender, race or minority status. This is achieved through several measures including multidisciplinary CFC membership.
  • Decisions are not negatively affected by a researcher’s inability to work during the pandemic due to child/family care or increased risk related to exposure to COVID-19
  • The CFC reviews all processes and supporting documentation, to ensure that all potential beneficiaries were treated equitably and that funding recipients have a proportional representation of equity seeking groups.

 

5. CAMH contact for CRCEF program compliance

At CAMH, ultimate responsibility for the CRCEF program rests with the Vice President, Research at CAMH, Dr. Bruce G. Pollock. The Senior Director, Research Strategy and Operations, Komal Bhasin, is accountable to the Vice President, Research, on implementation. For more information about the implementation of the CRCEF at CAMH, please contact Komal Bhasin (komal.bhasin@camh.ca).

 

Can we count on your support?

Donate to help us improve mental health care for everyone.

Follow us
  • Patient and Family Care
  • Health Info
  • Science and Research
  • Education
  • Professionals
  • Get Involved
  • Driving Change
  • About CAMH
  • Job Openings
  • Purchase Publications
  • Referral Form
  • For Reporters
  • Donor Services
  • Events

CAMH Switchboard

From the GTA: 416 535-8501


Toll-free: 1 800 463-2338

To Access CAMH Clinical Services

416 535-8501, press 2

We have multiple locations. Find directions.

Map of CAMH's Queen Street Site
  • Staff Tools

Copyright 2025 CAMH

  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility
  • Site Map

Keep in touch with CAMH

Keep your finger on our pulse – latest CAMH news, discoveries and ways to get involved delivered to your inbox.

Please select a newsletter

Please complete the following:

    Required Fields

    Please select a newsletter option

    Please input a first name

    Please input a last name

    Please input an email address

    By clicking Sign Up below, I consent to receive electronic communications (as selected above) from CAMH and CAMH Foundation. To unsubscribe at any time click the link in our mailing or email: unsubscribe@camh.ca

    Please agree to the Terms of Use

     

    Thanks for Subscribing.

    We look forward to keeping you informed, inspired and involved in all things CAMH.

    Help us change mental health care forever.

    Every donation moves us closer to a future where no one is left behind.

    $
    Other Ways to Give
    Join our team