CMHA of New Brunswick urges targeted 2026-2027 budget investments to reduce mental health and addictions pressures and protect community capacity.

Feb 24, 2026

FREDERICTON, NB – The Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick (CMHANB) is urging the Government of New Brunswick to make targeted and sustained investments in mental health, addictions, and community-based capacity in the 2026-2027 provincial budget. CMHANB emphasizes that underinvestment in prevention, early intervention, and recovery supports drives higher costs in emergency care, hospitals, and other public systems.

New Brunswick continues to face growing demand and persistent access challenges. Referrals to Addiction and Mental Health Services have increased over the past several years, and thousands of New Brunswickers remain on waitlists for mental health and addictions support. CMHANB stresses that long wait times can worsen outcomes for individuals and families and increase pressure on downstream crisis services.

CMHANB is recommending that New Brunswick increase mental health and addictions spending from approximately 6% to at least 7% of total health expenditures in Budget 2026-2027, with a longer-term objective of reaching 8-9% to better align investment with population need and improve sustainability across the health system.

“Investing earlier and more effectively in community-based mental health and addictions supports serves New Brunswickers when and how they need help earlier and is a practical cost-control strategy,” said Christa Baldwin, Chief Executive Officer, CMHANB. “When community capacity is insufficient, pressure shifts to more expensive crisis pathways like emergency departments, inpatient admissions, and justice involvement. Budget 2026-2027 is an opportunity to start correcting that imbalance.”

Aligning with the New Brunswick Health Plan and improving accountability

CMHANB notes the Province’s commitment to strengthening community-based care and improving access to mental health and addictions services. The organization is also calling for stronger performance measurement across the full care pathway, including clearer service benchmarks and regular public reporting on access and wait times.

Protecting community capacity in a “difficult decisions” budget context

CMHANB recognizes New Brunswick’s fiscal pressures and cautions against broad reductions to grants and funding for community organizations. Community-based mental health supports help prevent crises and reduce downstream costs; weakening that infrastructure risks increasing demand on hospitals and other high-cost services.

About the Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick

The Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick (CMHANB) is the provincial leader and champion for mental health. As part of a national federation, CMHANB delivers advocacy, programs, and resources that promote mental wellness, support recovery, and strengthen resilience so that all New Brunswickers can thrive. Founded nationally in 1918, CMHA is one of Canada’s most established and extensive community mental health organizations, with a presence in more than 330 communities nationwide.
Learn more at: www.cmhanb.ca