The board of directors for Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario Division is revoking the charter of CMHA Huron Perth, formally terminating the agreement between CMHA Ontario and the branch effective six months from now.
Revoking the charter means that the organization is not permitted to use the CMHA name, logo or brand beyond Jan. 30, 2022. It can continue to offer services after that time but must do so under a different organizational name and brand.
“Other CMHA branches work in partnership with each other, the sector and with CMHA Ontario to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care,” said CMHA Ontario board of directors chair Catherine Simunovic. “CMHA Ontario’s board of directors has lost faith that CMHA Huron Perth will take action to live up to the standards and high quality of care required of a CMHA branch.”
It’s important for all CMHA branches to continue to focus on maintaining a high standard of excellence in care. This focus aligns with the provincial government’s Roadmap to Wellness, a plan that aims to develop a high-quality mental health and addictions system that’s available for Ontarians where and when they need it.
Over the last several years, CMHA Ontario has had significant concerns about a lack of desire from the branch’s leadership to enhance service delivery. As a result of those concerns, CMHA Ontario has, over that time, been trying to work with CMHA Huron Perth. Despite CMHA Ontario’s best efforts to engage with CMHA Huron Perth as colleagues, the branch has instead responded through legal counsel.
Other CMHAs across Ontario and in neighbouring communities to CMHA Huron Perth’s catchment area are not impacted by the charter revocation.
CMHA Ontario will not be making further public comment on this issue at this time.
About Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario: Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario is a not-for-profit, charitable organization. We work to improve the lives of all Ontarians through leadership, collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-based mental health and addictions services. Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the mental health of all people. We are a trusted advisor to government, contributing to health systems development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health. Our 28 local CMHA branches, together with community-based mental health and addictions service providers across the province, serve approximately 500,000 Ontarians each year.
