PeerWorks and Members Visit Queen's Park

May 19, 2023

On May 8th, 2023, PeerWorks and some of its member organizations visited Queen's Park. Our visit aimed to educate and raise awareness on the importance and need for community-based peer support organizations. Throughout the day, Allyson Theodorou, PeerWorks Operations Director, and representatives of our member organizations met with Members of the Provincial Parliament and their staff to speak about the importance of peer support. 

Allyson Theodorou (PeerWorks), Kristine Quaid (PACE), and Georgina McKinnon (PACE) meet with MPP Rudy Cuzzetto (Mississauga Lakeshore)

During their meetings, they spoke about the role PeerWorks plays as Ontario’s province-wide voice for lived experience and peer support. They also brought awareness about the uniqueness of CSIs as organizations that are fully run by people and for people with lived experience. They emphasized the lack of funding for these organizations. They also spoke about the need for more partnerships with the clinical segment and other community providers to support the province’s vision for an integrated, accessible, and efficient healthcare framework for Ontarians.  

Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Honorable Michael Tibollo

During the lunch reception, Honorable Michael Tibollo, the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, spoke passionately about the importance of peer support. We also heard from MPP Lisa Gretzky (Windsor West) and MPP Jamie West (Sudbury), who emphasized the need for more funding for peer support.  

We feel confident that our visit was highly impactful and educational. We are hopeful that this visit will lead to further engagement with Queen's Park and to more funding and support for PSOs and CSIs.