Meet our Champions of Mental Health for
2007
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The Honourable Tony
Clement, Member of
Parliament for Parry Sound-Muskoka,
is the federal Minister of Health.
Minister Clement was instrumental in
establishing the Mental Health
Commission of Canada. The Commission
will be the national body
responsible for advancing the mental
health agenda in Canada. Key among
its activities will be developing a
national strategy, reducing the
discrimination associated with
mental illnesses, and building a
knowledge exchange centre to support
the sharing of information and
ideas. In so doing, the Commission
will work with all mental health
stakeholder groups in Canada.
Minister Clement was named a 2007
Champion of Mental Health for his
work promoting mental health
awareness and placing mental health
issues on the national policy
agenda. Minister Clement has also
been recognized for his leadership
by the National Cancer Institute of
Canada.
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National Chief of the
Assembly of First Nations, Phil
Fontaine, is a dedicated
and highly respected leader.
Throughout his career in public
office, he has been instrumental in
advancing issues that impact First
Nations communities across Canada.
Among his many achievements as
National Chief was leading the
successful resolution and settlement
of claims arising from the
150
year residential school tragedy.
Mental illnesses and addictions
affect many of Canada’s First
Nations peoples, and Chief Fontaine
has spent decades working to find
solutions to resolve these problems.
National Chief Fontaine was
recognized as a Champion of Mental
Health in 2007 for his efforts to
reduce the discrimination associated
with mental illnesses and
addictions, and for his quest to
secure proper treatment facilities
and programs for those in his
community who are suffering.
National Chief Fontaine is a leader
who has put mental health issues on
the government agenda while also
raising public awareness about the
severe challenges faced by the
communities he represents.
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The Honourable James K.
Bartleman served as the
27th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
from 2002 to 2007. One of the key
issues Mr. Bartleman wanted to
address during his mandate as
Lieutenant Governor was to eliminate
the discrimination attached to
mental illnesses. He is a strong
advocate to end all discrimination
but has given special attention to
the problems faced by First Nations,
Métis and Inuit communities across
Canada. Mr. Bartleman understands
the importance of raising awareness
and creating community based
programs to alleviate the stigma
associated with mental illness. Mr.
Bartleman was named a 2007 Champion
of Mental Health for the work he has
done to promote mental health in
remote communities in northern
Ontario and for being so candid in
sharing his own experiences with a
mental illness. Mr. Bartleman
received the Dr. Hugh Lefave Award
in 2003 and the Courage to Come Back
Award in 200 4for
his significant contribution to
reducing the stigma attached to
mental illnesses.
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Moya Greene, the
Chair and CEO of Canada Post, was
named a 2007 Champion of Mental
Health for her commitment to
advancing mental illness prevention
and mental health promotion in the
Canadian business world. She
understands the linkages between
good business practice, a robust
economy, and mental health in the
workplace. Ms. Greene believes that
corporate leaders should acknowledge
that mental illnesses affect and
inhibit many working Canadians.
Canada Post and its employees are
committed supporters of mental
health promotion and mental illness
prevention and have demonstrated
that support by choosing mental
health as their corporate Cause of
Choice. This commitment includes a
long-term sponsorship of Mental
Illness Awareness Week, the
development of internal programs
designed to assist Canada Post
employees manage stress in the
workplace, and support of many
community initiatives. Ms. Greene
and Canada Post continue to urge
other businesses and government to
do more to tackle the issues
associated with mental illnesses.
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André Picard is
the public health reporter at the
Globe and Mail and an author of
three bestselling books. In his
work, he has consistently provided
quality coverage of issues related
to mental health and mental
illnesses. In particular, he has
provided in-depth coverage of the
establishment of the Mental Health
Commission of Canada. Mr. Picard has
received much acclaim for his
writing, including the Michener
Award for Meritorious Public Service
Journalism, the Canadian Policy
Research Award, and the Centennial
Prize of the Pan-American Health
Organization as the top public
health reporter in the Americas. He
is also a four-time finalist for the
National Newspaper Awards – Canada’s
Pulitzer Prize. Mr. Picard’s
advocacy work has been honoured by a
number of healthcare groups
including the Canadian Mental Health
Association. By providing credible
and passionate coverage of mental
health issues such as depression and
suicide, and through his support for
the creation of the Mental Health
Commission of Canada, Mr. Picard has
used the power of the media to
change commonly held misconceptions
of mental illness.
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Champions of Mental Health 2006
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