Health committee  CIHR recognizes the importance of dealing effectively with stigma and the role that it plays as a barrier, obviously, to effective access to appropriate services. We have supported research at Queen's University with Dr. Elmslie, who is indeed a very well-known pioneer in creating a better understanding of stigma, how to diffuse it, and then how to assess whether or not there is a change in attitude that leads to better access to care.

Health committee  Yes. We have a number of very important partnerships. I am responsible for the partnerships between CIHR and its counterpart in China, called the National Natural Science Foundation. We have established over a 10-year period a very effective partnership with China. It came as a bit of a surprise to me when I met with the head of that agency and asked what their most pressing issues were.

Health committee  Yes, I think we are, and it comes in several different forms. Obviously, people would like to see a decrease in the misuse of these substances, and that's not happening right away. One thing I can say with certainty is that we have a much clearer understanding now of how the adventurous use of drugs can transform itself into a dependency and a very serious habit.

Health committee  Sorry, is the question for me?

Health committee  The Mental Health Commission of Canada, of course, is not in the research area, but obviously it's doing an extremely important job for Canada in terms of developing a national policy for dealing with mental health issues. Shortly after its inception, I invited the executive of the Mental Health Commission of Canada to come to the advisory board meeting for our institute and that was really productive.

Health committee  SPOR, the strategy for patient-oriented research, is emphasizing the need for more translational research. We invest about half a billion dollars a year in generating a better understanding of all the determinants of health, but obviously people are looking for the translation of that knowledge, where appropriate, into better diagnosis and better treatment.

Health committee  There are published papers, some of which have been supported by CIHR, that point to a clear health benefit from reduced overdoses. That's a different issue than you're alluding to, which is harm reduction. There is evidence and I could send you the appropriate papers, if you wish.

Health committee  Thank you for the question. The meeting that was held in the circumpolar region I think revealed a very real and important truth, that there is no one size fits all to address this important question. It's very important that approaches be based and anchored in the traditions of the society, the elements of the society, in which the problem resides.

Health committee  I'd like very much to thank the committee for this invitation, which will allow me to discuss the issue of mental health and to speak to you about how the Government of Canada is supporting research to address the needs of individuals suffering from mental illness and substance misuse.