Ottawa announces $5M for Mary Simon mental wellness initiative

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon thanked Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday for what she called a “very generous gift,” as the federal government announced millions in funding for a new mental wellness initiative tied to her legacy.

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon speaks with newly elected NTI president Gloria Uluqsi Friday as Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed, far left, Nunavut Health Minister Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster and Nunavut Education Minister David Akeeagok look on during an announcement for her legacy initiative. (Photo by Nehaa Bimal)

Ajuinnata: The Mary Simon Catalyst for Mental Wellness, is a new initiative led by the Rideau Hall Foundation that aims to expand culturally grounded and peer-led mental health services in northern, rural and remote communities.

It’s receiving $5 million. On top of that, Ottawa pledged to match up to $10 million raised through philanthropic donations.

Carney’s announcement at the headquarters of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in Ottawa focused on Simon’s advocacy, during her tenure as Governor General, for mental wellness, particularly in Inuit and northern communities.

“This project will provide the communities you visited — and you visited many — with the vital mental health care that they deserve: life saving support like counselling, culturally grounded services, and peer-led mental health,” Carney said.

The prime minister praised Simon’s decades of public service and advocacy for Indigenous rights and reconciliation.

He highlighted her role negotiating the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and helping establish the Arctic Council during her tenure as Canada’s first ambassador for circumpolar affairs.

“Again and again, Mary Simon has taken on enormous challenges and approached them with wisdom, determination and an unwavering commitment to her people and public service,” Carney said.

The initiative builds on Simon’s Mental Health Learning and Listening Tour, launched in 2024, during which she travelled to communities across Canada to hear directly from people on the ground.

“Too many people — especially young people and those in remote communities — continue to lack the support they need,” Simon said. “The gap in service is acute in northern communities.” 

Speaking about visits to Iqaluit and other northern communities, Simon said she repeatedly heard about the importance of support delivered by people who understand Inuit languages, culture and daily realities in the North.

Simon said northern communities often require approaches such as drop-in counselling and mobile mental health teams because “a mental health crisis can’t always wait for an appointment.”

Simon added that her advocacy work will continue after her term as Governor General ends.

“My commitment to the people of the Arctic will never waiver. Ajuinnata!” she said.

The Inuktitut word “ajuinnata” means never give up and has been a core theme of her tenure.

Prime Minister Mark Carney poses with Nunavik throat singer Sylvia Cloutier, left, and Nunavik singer-songwriter Beatrice Deer following an announcement for Ajuinnata: The Mary Simon Catalyst for Mental Wellness in Ottawa on Friday. (Photo by Nehaa Bimal)

Nunavik musician Beatrice Deer, who throat sang with Sylvia Cloutier, described the funding announcement as “true reconciliation.” She said the initiative offered hope to communities struggling with intergenerational trauma and suicide.

“We may not see the difference right away, but it’s going to make a difference in the future for us,” Deer said.

Cloutier said the initiative made Inuit communities feel heard.

“For you to create the space for us to talk about our traumas and how we have to take care of our mental health means a lot to all of us,” Cloutier said. 

Rideau Hall Foundation president and CEO Teresa Marques said organizers hope the initiative will attract additional support from philanthropists, businesses and community organizations.

Simon, Canada’s 30th Governor General and the first Indigenous person to hold the office, will complete her five-year term on June 8, when Louise Arbour is scheduled to be sworn in as her successor.