National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Right to Heal Campaign

CCPA Marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 30, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) honours the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30^th by reaffirming its commitment to advancing equitable and culturally safe mental health services for First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) peoples. 

This day serves as a reminder of Canada's responsibility to act on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls' Calls for Justice, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It is also a moment to reflect on the continuing impacts of current colonial policies that create and maintain barriers to care. 

As part of this commitment, CCPA will launch the Right to Heal campaign, which calls on the federal government to strengthen access for First Nations and Inuit peoples by: 

1. Reinstating Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCCs) under the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) and Jordan's Principle programs in unregulated provinces.
   •  Thousands of CCCs across Canada are qualified and available to provide essential services, yet remain excluded under NIHB and Jordan's Principle in unregulated provinces. 
2. Reforming Indigenous mental health programs through Indigenous-led governance and decision-making.
   •  This ensures programs are culturally safe, equitable, and responsive to the needs of First Nations and Inuit communities. 

"On this day of reflection, we must move beyond symbolism toward action," said George Maringapasi, CCPA President. "FNMI peoples continue to face systemic barriers in accessing mental health care, and Canada must urgently address these gaps by reinstating qualified providers and embedding Indigenous governance in decision-making." 

"Like many of my fellow First Nation and Inuit mental health practitioner colleagues, we continue to be denied access to exclusive funding designated for First Nation and Inuit rights to mental health that Canada delegated provinces authority to administer without our communities and leaders' consent. This historically imposed and uninformed legislation directly infringes our rights to health despite their recognition and being affirmed inherently and sovereignly by First Nation and Inuit people; through Canada's Numbered Treaties; the Constitutional Section 35; the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP); and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action," said Angela Grier, Indigenous Director, CCPA. 

The Right to Heal campaign underscores that reconciliation includes equitable access to care and Indigenous-led reform. CCPA will continue to advocate alongside First Nations, Métis and Inuit leaders and communities to ensure that FNMI peoples have the right to heal. 

About CCPA 

We are a national bilingual association that promotes the profession of counselling and psychotherapy and its contribution to the mental health and well-being of all Canadians. 

SOURCE Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association

Media Contact: Karina Albert, Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives and Communications, [email protected], [phone]