Government of Canada announces funding for cannabis public education project in rural Nova Scotia

YARMOUTH, NS, Oct. 11, 2018 /CNW/ - On October 17, 2018, the Cannabis Act will come into force, marking a significant milestone in the Government of Canada's commitment to legalizing and strictly regulating cannabis to keep it out of the hands of children and to keep profits away from criminals and organized crime. Public education is an important element of the Government's public health approach to legalizing and regulating cannabis. In collaboration with provinces and territories, the Government is continuing its work to help ensure that Canadians have access to the facts and information they need to make informed decisions about cannabis.

Today, on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, Member of Parliament Colin Fraser, announced an investment of $967,000 over four years to the Tri-County Women's Centre Society in Nova Scotia under Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program. This funding will support the Tri-County Women's Centre Society in raising awareness of the health effects of cannabis and problematic substance use.  

This funding will go toward its project entitled Youth Truth Matters: Reducing Harms from Substance Use in Rural Areas, which focuses on providing cannabis education to young Nova Scotians living in rural areas. The program will also provide access to harm reduction information, supplies and counselling for people who use substances.

Partnerships like these with community-based organizations and educators allow the Government of Canada to reach specific audiences with information on the health and safety risks of cannabis use. This collaborative approach helps build common knowledge about cannabis and its effects on health and safety.

Quotes

"Educating youth about the potential risks of cannabis is a key objective of the Government of Canada's public health approach to legalizing and regulating cannabis. By building key partnerships, such as this one with the Tri-County Women's Centre Society, we are able to better reach young Canadians and provide them with the necessary health and safety facts about cannabis."
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health

"Our Government is pleased to support the Tri-County Women's Centre's Rural Truth Matters project. This initiative will allow experts in drug harm reduction to share their knowledge on the dangers of cannabis and drug use with rural youth in Southwest Nova Scotia."
Colin Fraser
Member of Parliament

"Tri County Women's Centre is so pleased for the opportunity to do this important and timely work. Our hope is that the project will increase access to information and resources to support informed decision-making, and reduce stigma in our rural areas. We will work within a framework that connects mental health, substance use and trauma, which enables the community to walk alongside and support people who use substances."
Joan Donaldson
Project Coordinator for the Tri County Women's Centre

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada has announced an investment of $62.5 million over five years to support the involvement of community-based organizations, and Indigenous organizations and governments that are educating their communities on the risks associated with cannabis use.
• This funding builds on the $46 million over five years previously announced by the Government to support federal public education, awareness and surveillance activities.
• Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) provides funding for evidence-informed and innovative awareness, prevention, harm reduction and treatment initiatives addressing a range of substances including cannabis. Project proposals are being accepted on an ongoing basis.

Associated Links
Backgrounder: Supporting Communities and Partners Across Canada in Leading Cannabis Public Education Initiatives
Government of Canada to invest in cannabis education and awareness
Canada.ca/cannabis: health and safety facts on cannabis use

SOURCE Health Canada

Thierry Bélair, Office of Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Media Relations, Health Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]