Ottawa to transfer $70 million to Quebec for youth mental health

Quebec and Ottawa team up to improve mental health among youth

The federal government will transfer $70.8 million to Quebec over five years from the Youth Mental Health Fund.

This funding will help, among other things, to create four new “Aire ouverte” sites as well as a mobile site.

There are currently 48 “Aire ouverte” sites in Quebec. These centres serve young people aged 12 to 25 and offer a variety of services free of charge, with or without an appointment.

The centres are designed by young people: A youth committee decides on health priorities for young people in the neighbourhood and the types of professionals they want to have at the centre.

The new agreement between Quebec and Ottawa was announced Monday at the Aire ouverte Montréal-Nord-Lacordaire location by Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel and Lionel Carmant, Quebec’s Minister responsible for Social Services.

- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 14, 2026.