Federal government reverses course on Bell Let’s Talk partnership

The federal government is reversing course on its decision to end its Bell Let’s Talk partnership.

In a statement to CityNews on Thursday night, press secretary to the president of the Treasury Board, Monica Granados, confirmed that the government would end its collaboration with the mental health awareness initiative.

The government has partnered with Bell Canada on the campaign since 2018.

“Since the beginning of this collaboration, approaches to mental health and employee well-being have evolved within the federal public service, and there are now well-established government-wide and department-specific structures, forums, events, and activities supporting important conversations on mental health,” Granados said.

“Given this progress, the government will continue to focus its efforts on public service-driven activities, and the Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada will not be renewing its collaboration with Bell and its Bell Let’s Talk initiative.

However, the president of the Treasury Board later issued a clarification, saying they are looking at a new agreement with the telecom when it comes to this national initiative.

“A decision was made at the Departmental level not to renew the government’s current yearly Memorandum of Understanding with Bell for the Let’s Talk day. Minister Fortier has directed her officials to establish an updated agreement with Bell in support of this day’s vital goal of raising awareness and talking about mental health,” read a statement issued on Friday.

“Our government remains committed to working with partners to raise awareness and support everyone’s mental health, and reduce stigma around mental illness and addiction.”

On its website, Bell Canada said the Bell Let’s Talk campaign “is a wide-reaching, multi-year program designed to break the silence around mental illness and support mental health all across Canada.”

As part of the yearly campaign, Bell Canada donates five cents to mental health initiatives when the #BellLetsTalk hashtag is used on social media, along with other fundraising and awareness efforts.

Bell has faced criticism for making staffing cuts just days after their last two Bell Let’s Talk initiatives. Bell Media wouldn’t confirm the number of layoffs.

Bell Media is part of BCE Inc.’s Bell Canada division, the country’s largest telecommunications company. Its holdings include the CTV television network, specialty TV channels, radio stations and production studios.

With files from The Canadian Press