Every year, more than one million Ontarians experience a mental health or addiction issue, leading to serious impacts on their quality of life and contributing to clear consequences for the province’s economic productivity. Currently, services are fragmented throughout the system with significant barriers to access and inconsistent quality, leading to people often turning to emergency departments—in many cases, only after reaching a crisis point.
All told, there’s a clear and urgent case for action.
Join Canadian Club Toronto on March 5 when Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, discusses Ontario’s new plan to build a comprehensive and connected mental health and addictions system and its significance to the province’s extensive efforts to end hallway health care.
Following her remarks, Minister Elliott will be joined in conversation with Jane Taber (NATIONAL Public Relations).
Christine Elliott, MPP for Newmarket—Aurora, currently serves as Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
As a mother, lawyer, businesswoman and entrepreneur, Christine has a proven track record of bringing people together to build stronger and more inclusive communities.
Christine graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Laws degree. She then built a successful career in business and law, working first as an auditor at one of Canada’s largest banks. Christine later co-founded a law firm with her late husband, Jim Flaherty, where she specialized in real estate, corporate and estate law.
Christine used her business and legal expertise to pursue her commitment to public service. Her pro bono legal work for charitable organizations gained her the recognition as a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, the highest award with Rotary.
Christine is a co-founder of the Abilities Centre in Whitby, a facility built with the vision of celebrating all people, regardless of ability. The centre has become a leading community hub, hosting various Parapan Am Games events in 2015.
In 2016, Christine became Ontario’s first Patient Ombudsman, where she fought for better access to health care for all.
Christine has triplet sons, John, Galen and Quinn.
