With over 147,500 people in Canada affected by schizophrenia and facing inconsistent care, the Schizophrenia Quality Standards National Demonstration Project was launched in April 2023 through a collaboration between the Mental Health Commission of Canada and Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. The purpose was to expand the implementation of Ontario Health’s Schizophrenia Quality Standards (the Standards) nationally to diverse health-care sites across British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Participating sites received tailored support, education, and training to implement best practices through the Standards. A robust evaluation was a core component of this project; the project was shown to have improved the care for 920 individuals when it concluded in May 2025.

This project marks a pivotal step toward consistent, high-quality schizophrenia care across Canada, empowering organizations to adopt the Standards nationwide to improve outcomes and quality of life for adults living with schizophrenia.