Hon. Brian Francis: Senator Gold, P.E.I. has been grappling with a shortage of mental health workers, which makes it difficult for residents to receive timely support, especially in rural areas.

After two suicides in September on the Confederation Bridge, which is a federal responsibility, there are renewed calls to place barriers and other preventive measures. Will the federal government install barriers on the bridge? What other steps have been taken to improve access to mental health services in Prince Edward Island?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Well, there are two parts to your question, and thank you for raising both of them. I will raise the question further regarding work that may be done on the barriers with the appropriate minister.

With regard to access to mental health services, the federal government has made significant contributions to the provinces, and, in some cases, it’s earmarked for mental health support so that the provinces — within their constitutional jurisdiction over health — can have greater resources to address the needs of their citizens. The Government of Canada will continue to work with the provinces in that respect.

Hon. Brian Francis: Senator Gold, given the ongoing lack of access to mental health supports, could you also share what measures the federal government has implemented to ensure that the P.E.I. RCMP and other first responders are better equipped to respond to the steady increase in mental health-related calls?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Again, I have to raise some of the specifics of your question with the minister because I don’t have the answers at hand, except to say that the federal government — working together with the RCMP and with the provinces that have the constitutional responsibility, with support from the federal government, to establish the needed services — will continue to work to try to make that happen.