Early in Mr. Flynn’s political career he was a Chair of the All Party
Select Committee with a mandate to develop a comprehensive mental health
and addiction strategy for Ontario.
The result - the government moved on the committee’s two most
urgent recommendations: immediate action to stem the flow of
prescription opioids (chiefly OxyContin) and a children’s mental
health strategy with dedicated funding.
Next he began to work on adult mental health. Coincidentally,
finishing his MBA thesis on mental health in the workplace.
At the same time, he worked to make his community a leader
in mental health. The Mississauga Halton Local Health Integration
Network (LHIN) brought together all agencies in the region
supporting the mentally ill and developed a coherent strategy.
Oakville’s new hospital has a divided emergency room, one side for
people with physical injuries and ailments, the other side for people
experiencing mental health crises.
At Queen’s Park, Flynn tabled a motion to make Ontario the first
province to endorse a national standard for psychological safety in
the workplace developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
It received bipartisan support. Thus when a foundation was established
that would bear his name he knew that we have so much more to learn
about the root causes of mental illness, the benefits of mental wellness
and the prime importance of well funded research.
The Kevin Flynn Mental Health Foundation is a new organization that
builds on many years of experience in mental health policy.
Kevin Flynn
Founding Director
KEVIN FLYNN is the former Minister of Labour for Ontario with over 33 consecutive
years in elected office, he brings knowledge and insights that can only be gained from spending a
life in public service. As Chair of the All Party Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions
Kevin fought to bring the hidden issue of mental illness firmly to the forefront of the governmental
agenda and demanded action from all parties. His committee’s watershed report received unanimous support
from all parties in the House and resulted in real and meaningful change.
As Minister of Labour, the Honourable Kevin Flynn championed our brave first responder community suffering
from PTSD and a lack of treatment, by introducing Bill 163 to finally implement presumptive coverage and
compulsory PTSD prevention plans. These measures allowed for early identification, early intervention, early
treatment and much better outcomes for those who keep us safe in their line of work. Psychological health
and safety has always been a passion of Kevin’s and his leadership made those previous difficult workplace
conversations around mental health easier and integral to the productivity and profitability of smart Canadian
business.
His work has been recognized across Canada and adopted in many other jurisdictions. In recognition of his
determination and accomplishments in mental health, Kevin has received awards from the Canadian Mental
Health Association, Pathways and the Ontario Psychological Association.
Kevin is also a board member of Oakville Community Living, the Canada-Ireland Foundation, on the Business
Advisory Council of Life Support Mental Health Inc., and the Principal of Flynn Strategic Relations.
Born in Liverpool, England, Kevin, his wife Jan and their son have called Oakville home for over 40 years.
An entrepreneur by nature and an MBA by training, Kevin is able to combine his passion for social issues
with a strong business acumen.
Founding Directors
Christine Langevin, CDir
Founding Director
Christine Langevin is the principal of a boutique accounting firm
and has been for the past 23 years in Oakville and is a founding
Director of the Kevin Flynn Mental Health Foundation.
Christine serves as Treasurer on the Independent Wine Education
Guild Board of Directors and was recently the Chair of the Audit
and Finance Committee for HRPA Board of Directors, Chair of the
Oakville Center for the Performing Arts Board, and Charter President
of the Halton Civitan Club. As an avid volunteer, Christine has
served as an Oakville Chamber of Commerce committee member, the
CFO of a political riding association and is currently serving on
the Oakville Community Foundation Finance and Risk Committee and
the Audit Committee.
Christine has taught Accounting, Managerial Accounting. and Finance
and Business to Sheridan ITAL’s undergraduates, post graduate
students and in Continuing Education programs. Christine completed
her Chartered Director designation at DeGroote School of Business
and the Directors College. She is also a Chartered Professional
Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and has earned a
Certified Fraud Examiner designation and a Bachelor of Commerce at
the University of Guelph.
