Mental health issues have reached a critical state in Niagara, and need to be addressed in the upcoming federal election, Steven Soos told the Thorold News.
A runner-up for mayor of Welland in the 2018 municipal election, Soos is co-hosting a federal election debate/forum with a couple of his colleagues this Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. at the Chippawa Park Community Centre, located at 128 Fitch Street in Welland.
The event will be “The first of its kind in Niagara Centre,” said Soos, because it will focus on “mental health, addictions, and homelessness and some other social issues affecting our riding.”
In addition to experiencing rampant suicide in recent months, St. Catharines has the dubious distinction of having the highest number of residents who visited hospital emergency departments as a result of opioid overdoses last year, among Ontario municipalities with populations of more than 100,000, according to a list compiled by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit in July.
Soos and Welland social activist Brandon St. Arnaud, who have been “very active” in advancing mental health in Niagara, will act as moderators.
“Over the years, I have supported many causes related to mental health, addictions and homelessness,” said Soos, who is providing the funding for Sunday’s event.
“I have my own experiences with it. I advocated for mental health. I have been at the forefront of this fight. I think whoever is lobbying to be our MP should be paying attention to these issues. It’s affected our entire community. It’s so important that the community bands together, and it’s significant that we have a debate on these issues.”
The public will be invited to ask candidates questions, or share their own experiences concerning mental health issues in Niagara, Soos stated, adding that refreshments will be sold, with proceeds donated to local mental health.
“I am hoping to make this a two-hour event with 30 minutes for a meet-and-greet. A table will be provided for any campaign material or literature the candidates and their teams may want to bring.”
Conservative candidate April Jeffs told Thorold News she plans on attending.
Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey’s office said the Liberal candidate has previous commitments, but will do his best to be there.
Green Party candidate Michael Tomaino told the Thorold News that while he won’t be able to attend the event, “I support the Green Party's goal of reorienting Health Canada’s mandate towards mental health and addictions, health promotion and disease prevention (and the health risks of climate change) and will work towards ensuring vulnerable populations receive equal access to care. Greens are calling for a national mental health strategy and a suicide prevention strategy to address, among other things, the growing anxieties plaguing Canadians regarding inequality and affordability, the growing precariousness of work and housing, the climate crisis, social isolation, resurgent racial and ethno-nationalism and other harms and risks.”
It is not known whether NDP candidate Malcolm Allen will be attending.
