You may have seen headlines about a Mental Health Parity Act in Canada and wondered what it means for you. Would it make therapy free? Does it change what you pay today? This post explains, in plain language, what Bill C-280 proposes, where it stands in Parliament as of the day we checked, what it would not change right now and how people pay for therapy in the meantime. We're a counselling clinic, not a policy group, so our aim is simply to help you understand the basics.
This post is educational and non-partisan. We don't take a position on how anyone should vote, and we can't predict what Parliament will do.
What the Mental Health Parity Act proposes
Bill C-280 is a private member's bill, which means it was introduced by a Member of Parliament who isn't a cabinet minister. Its short title is the Mental Health Parity Act, and it was introduced in the House of Commons by Gord Johns, the MP for Courtenay-Alberni. You can read the full text of the bill on the Parliament of Canada website.
Here's the idea in plain words. Canada already has a law, the Canada Health Act, that sets national conditions for public health insurance. According to Health Canada's overview of that act, insured health services include medically necessary hospital, physician and certain surgical-dental services.
The bill's own preamble notes that the Canada Health Act does not require public plans to insure community-based mental health, addictions and substance use services. Bill C-280 would create a similar set of national conditions for those services.
In short, the bill would:
Set criteria for public coverage of mental health, addictions and substance use services, based on the same five ideas found in the Canada Health Act: public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, portability and accessibility
Link a province's full federal health funding, through the Canada Health Transfer, to meeting those criteria
Include rules about extra billing and user charges for services that would be insured
Allow the federal government to set out, through regulations made after consulting the provinces, which specific services would need to be included
"Parity" here means treating mental health care on more equal footing with physical health care in the public system.
Where the bill stands
As of October 6, 2026, the bill's page on LEGISinfo, Parliament's official bill tracker, shows:
Introduction and first reading: completed on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in the House of Commons
Current status: outside the Order of Precedence
Second reading, committee, report stage and third reading: not reached
Senate stages: not reached
Recorded votes: none
What does "outside the Order of Precedence" mean? Private members' bills are debated in a set order. The House of Commons explains that the order of precedence determines the order in which private members' bills and motions are considered, and that members are placed on it based on a random draw. A bill outside the order of precedence isn't currently in line for debate.
A bill has to pass several stages in both the House of Commons and the Senate before it can become law. Status can change, so if you're following this bill, check LEGISinfo for the latest update.
What it would not change today
It's important to be clear about this part. Bill C-280 is a proposal. It has not passed, and it isn't law. That means:
Nothing changes right now about how therapy is paid for in Ontario or anywhere else in Canada.
Private therapy is still paid through workplace benefits, Health Spending Accounts or out of pocket.
Even if a bill like this passed, the details would depend on future regulations and on how each province chose to respond. It wouldn't happen overnight.
If you're thinking about starting therapy, there's no reason to wait for the outcome of this bill. Your options today are the same as they were last month.
Common questions about Bill C-280
Would this make therapy free right away? No. The bill hasn't passed. Even if a version of it became law, coverage would depend on regulations and on how each province set up its public plan.
Which services would be covered? The bill describes mental health, addictions and substance use services broadly, as services that are medically required and provided by medical practitioners or other health care practitioners allowed to practise under provincial law, including in community settings. It leaves the specific list of services to future regulations, made after consulting the provinces.
What happens if Parliament is dissolved? According to the House of Commons, items of private members' business cease to exist when Parliament is dissolved, although they can be introduced again in a new Parliament.
Does this change my insurance plan? No. Your workplace or school benefits work the same way they did before the bill was introduced.
How can I follow it? LEGISinfo shows each stage as it happens. It's the most reliable place to check, since news stories can go out of date quickly.
Why advocates support parity
Supporters of mental health parity say that many people in Canada pay out of pocket for counselling, and that cost can keep people from getting help early. The Canadian Mental Health Association has said it supports the bill as a way to bring mental health, addictions and substance use services into the public system.
Like any proposed law, the bill will likely bring different views on cost, how it would work with provincial health systems and which services should be included. Those debates are part of how Parliament works. Whatever your view, it helps to understand what's actually in the bill.
How people pay for therapy now
While the bill moves, or doesn't move, through Parliament, here's how most people pay for counselling today.
Workplace or school benefits. Many extended health plans cover some sessions with certain practitioners, such as psychologists, psychotherapists or social workers. Each plan is different, so check which titles yours covers and how much is available each year. Our guide on whether your insurance covers counselling explains what to look for. Depending on your plan, your insurance may cover part or all of the cost of a session.
Health Spending Accounts. We accept Health Spending Accounts. These are set up through an employer, and the rules vary.
Direct billing. We offer direct billing for many plans, which means we send the claim to your insurer for you. It depends on your insurer and your therapist's title, and it doesn't change how much your plan pays.
The medical expense tax credit. Some therapy costs may be claimed on your tax return. The Canada Revenue Agency's page on eligible medical expenses explains the rules, including that you can only claim the part of an expense that isn't reimbursed. Check the CRA's list or talk to a tax professional before you count on it.
Lower-cost options at our clinic. Sessions with our therapists are $130 to $200. Couples and family sessions are $170 to $200. If cost is a barrier, sessions with our student therapists range from $0 to $80. They're completing their master's degrees and are supervised by our licensed psychotherapists, and they can be a good way to get support on a tighter budget. You can see more on our page about the cost of counselling, or read what to do if you can't afford counselling.
New clients pay a one-time $50 setup fee, which isn't charged for the free 15-minute consultation.
Your next step
Policy debates can take years. Your mental health matters now. If you'd like to talk through your options, including cost and billing, book a free 15-minute consultation. It's a short phone call with no pressure, and we'll help you find a therapist and a fee that work for you. You don't need to know anything about the bill, or your benefits, before you call.