NDP Blocks Men’s Mental Health Awareness Week Act in Manitoba Legislature

By Dan Guetre

With the Manitoba NDP blocking Bill 217, the Men’s Mental Health Awareness Week Act, it has sparked criticism from Dawson Trail MLA Bob Lagassé and his Progressive Conservative colleagues. The bill, introduced by Lagassé recently, aimed to designate the week leading up to Father’s Day in June as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

“It is extremely disappointing that the NDP government caucus decided to play politics with Bill 217,” said Lagassé in a statement. “The Men’s Mental Health Awareness Week Act would have raised awareness about an important issue facing Manitobans.”

Lagassé emphasized the growing mental health challenges men face, including workplace stress, relationship difficulties, and other life challenges. He highlighted the alarming statistic that men account for nearly 75% of suicide deaths, with suicide being the second-leading cause of death among men under 50.

“Like all Canadians, Manitobans need authentic conversations to recognize the mental health struggles increasingly faced by men,” Lagassé stated. “An awareness week would bring muchneeded attention to these issues.”

Several jurisdictions in Canada already recognize men’s mental health through various commemorations.

The federal government marks June as Men’s Mental Health Month, and provinces such as Alberta, Ontario, and Nova Scotia have partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association to bring attention to the cause.

“The Manitoba Legislative Assembly could have taken a step toward a similar commemoration in our province,” Lagassé noted. “How- ever, the Manitoba NDP chose not to support the Progressive Conservative caucus in the establishment of an annual week to draw attention to the importance of men’s mental health.”

Lagassé added that the rejection of Bill 217 has sparked debate on the politicization of mental health issues and the importance of bipartisan support in addressing public health concerns. While the bill’s future remains uncertain, the conversation around men’s mental health continues to gain traction both in Manitoba and across the country.