Ottawa, ON – Todd Doherty, Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George, BC and Conservative Deputy Shadow Minister for National Defence, issued the following statement regarding the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approval of a national three-digit suicide prevention hotline:

“Today, more than 600 days since parliamentarians unanimously supported my motion to bring a national three-digit suicide prevention hotline to Canada, the CRTC has finally announced that 9-8-8 will be implemented and accessible to Canadians by November 2023.

“This approval and the implementation of a three-digit suicide prevention hotline (9-8-8) will save lives and will remove a critical barrier facing too many who are struggling with nowhere to turn.

“To the countless Canadians who shared your voices and your stories to support this initiative – thank you.

“While the continued delays have been frustrating and unnecessary, today’s announcement is great news and a step in the right direction.

“Help should only be three digits away.”