History of Suicide Prevention in Canada
Learn about some of the past and current activities being undertaken to reduce suicide in Canada and ensure proper supports and resources.
01
September 2009
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention releases a detailed blueprint for a formal national suicide prevention strategy for Canada
In 2009, the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP), published its second edition of a national suicide prevention strategy. While not governing law nor required to be followed, this blueprint sets out the groundwork for what a suicide prevention strategy should look like and be governed by.
02
December 2012
Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention Act becomes law
Parliament passed Bill C-300, which required the Government of Canada to create a national framework for suicide prevention that recognizes suicide as a public health priority and directs action on awareness, information, research, and collaboration. It should be noted that a national framework is not the same as a national strategy.
This framework, and following other releases by the federal government, did not and have not replaced existing strategies or frameworks implemented by provinces, territories, communities, or Indigenous communities or organizations.
03
November 2016
Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention released
The federal government released the long-awaited framework outlining strategic directions for reducing suicide and promoting life across jurisdictions and sectors.
04
May 2019
House of Commons adopts Private Members' Bill M-174
On 8 May 2019, the House of Commons unanimously passed a private member’s motion calling on the Government of Canada to develop a National Suicide Prevention Action Plan.
05
June 2023
Senate of Canada Releases a Report on the Federal Framework, showing it has had no impact on suicide prevention
In June of 2023, the Senate of Canada's Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology released a stark report showing that since the implementation of the Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention in 2016, it has had no tangible results when it came to suicide reduction or prevention in Canada.
Instead, the report pointed to a "framework [that] is centred around ideas of what feels good instead of seeking out what works".
The federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions at the time acknowledged the weaknesses of the framework at the outset of the committee hearings and committed to issuing a revised framework in the fall of 2023. It would not be until May of 2024 that a new version would be issued.
06
November 2023
National 9-8-8 launches
A national 3-digit suicide crisis and helpline is rolled out and formally launched in Canada. This service is bilingual and trauma-informed, providing 24/7 support for people in crisis by phone and text.
07
May 2024
National Suicide Prevention Action Plan released
The Government of Canada unveiled its first National Suicide Prevention Action Plan (2024–2027) to guide collaborative work across federal, provincial/territorial, Indigenous, and community partners.
08
March 2026
House of Commons Petition e-7234
Petition e-7234 to the House of Commons, calling on the federal government to create and implement a formal national suicide prevention strategy, opened for signatures from the public on 17 March 2026. The petition closed on 17 July 2026.
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