MP Stephen Ellis’s Private Member’s Bill C-323, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (mental health services), received its second reading on April 25.
Read the transcript of the complete debate, with PC and NDP members pushing the government on all fronts to change this unfair tax for good:
Here are some key quotes from MPs:
"...what can we do to help support all Canadians? We can modify the Excise Tax Act and eliminate the taxes on psychotherapy services and mental health counsellors. Even though we may say this is not a huge issue, we have an opportunity to do something. The government needs to look at opportunities so we can stop talking, make a difference and do something to help the health of Canadians." - MP Stephen Ellis, introducing the Second Reading of his Bill
MP Ellis's answer to the first question, from the Speaker of the House:
"We can find proper titles for professions such as psychotherapist and mental health counsellor. I think that it is possible, then, to group together all professions offering the same services even if they have different names. I think that this is a way to find the process that will be best for all Canadians."
Next question (similar) got the following response from Ellis:
"I do not think the nomenclature needs to allow us to not be able to move forward and cause us to have paralysis on this. We need to move forward for the betterment of all Canadians."
"The Bloc Québécois is really pleased to support Bill C‑323 to make a real difference in the lives of those who need help and to offer them a GST exemption." - MP Mrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Salaberry--Suroit, BQ)
"I want to talk a bit about our party's history on this. A 2017 NDP-sponsored bill would have removed GST from psychotherapy services. Bill C-218, sponsored by my colleague from London—Fanshawe, would also have removed GST from psychotherapy services. It is currently out of the order of precedence, so, again, we commend our colleague for moving this forward. The same colleague from London—Fanshawe presented a petition to the House of Commons to remove GST from counselling therapy and psychotherapy services. That petition received over 14,000 signatures. When the Conservatives' order of precedence comes forward, we do like it when they take NDP bills. This is something we are just starting to get used to." - MP Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni, NDP Health Critic, who seconded MP Lindsay Mathyssen's Bill first read Dec 2021 in the House.
Advocacy Update
Unfortunately, last week all 14, 244 House of Commons petition.signatories received a disappointing message from the Finance Minister.
This message is not new and has been received by her constituents and other letter-writers for years. This does NOT mean that our cause is hopeless.
- Many meetings are happening with important decision-makers who can affect the status quo, empowered by the support for GST/HST exemption.
- The National Coalition is working on a response to the response.
- There will also be a second reading of MP Ellis’ bill (SEE ABOVE).
- The response doesn’t kill MP Mathyssen’s bill from future readings.
- We will update you further when we have more outcomes to share.
Your letters to MPs are making a difference.
As reported HERE in the March 28th Central, and ongoing since then, several MPs and their staff have advised that their offices have been flooded with GST/HST exemption letters.
The newly-merged Advocacy Committee + HST Task Force met April 14, and brought renewed energy to meeting with politicians and decision-makers, now that we are all fully briefed on this important issue.
WHAT CAN I DO?
- Write to your MP AGAIN, cc-ing the Minister of Finance chrystia.freeland@parl.gc.ca. Call on government to take action now that three parties, including the Finance Committee, have advocated for GST/HST exemption for all mental health professionals
- Consider asking for a meeting with your MP. A member of the Advocacy Committee can join you. If your MP is interested in meeting, let us know at advocacy@psychotherapyontario.org
- Ask your colleagues and friends to write to their MPs
- Consider writing a letter to the editor of your local paper, as this person did
- Join the Advocacy Committee - click HERE.
- Read our updates - visit our webpage ADVOCACY CORNER.
WHAT IS OSRP DOING? Click here to read more:
- Stepping up our work with partners (CCPA, PRPA, Impact etc.) on behalf of our members, to amplify our voices
- Continue to call on the Federal Government to take action now that three parties have expressed support
- Setting up more meetings with decision-makers
- Stay tuned for a survey drafted by OSRP for all PRPA and CCPA members to learn more about rates for psychotherapy/counselling therapy in Canada, and how our rate-setting is affected by GST/HST
Important actions and meetings are arising from your activism, and we will keep you informed of all new developments.
Click here to read the Finance Committee's recommendation, echoing bills from two opposition parties, and our press release!
