Amid the flurry of end-of-session legislative activity, Quebec quietly extended its national suicide prevention strategy through to 2028. The province also decided to continue funding the strategy at $15 million per year. In total, $30 million for the years 2027 and 2028 is set to be invested to implement 15 measures aimed at preventing suicidal thoughts, attempts and deaths. When the strategy was launched in 2022, the government set several targets to be achieved by 2026, including reducing the number of suicide deaths to below 1,000. According to the most recent data from the Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 1,043 people took their own lives in 2023, the lowest suicide rate in Quebec since data became available. The Quebec Association for Suicide Prevention (AQPS) says it welcomes the extension but remains dissatisfied with the funding allocated, given the significant needs. “The renewal of the strategy is very good news, as it provides essential stability,” said Hugo Fournier, president and CEO of the AQPS. “However, it is important to note that the announced funding maintains the annual budget at the same level as in 2023.” “In a context where needs remain significant and costs are rising, this stability must be followed by additional resources to allow Quebec to go further in suicide prevention,” he said. Statistics show there are three suicides in Quebec every day. It is the seventh leading cause of death among men and the tenth among women. “Suicide is multifactorial, and its prevention must be just as multifaceted,” said Fournier. “That is the great strength of a national strategy: it allows us to align efforts, support communities and stay focused on a common goal.” He says he wants to see stronger monitoring of the strategy so its impact can be better assessed through collaboration with relevant communities. Resources If you or someone you know is in crisis, there are resources are available to help: If you need immediate assistance, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. The Canadian Press’s health coverage is supported by a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for this journalistic content. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 16, 2026.
