Paul James is a Canadian International Soccer player, coach, and a three time inductee into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame. Paul competed on four CONCACAF Championship teams while playing and coaching Canada on 47 and 35 occasions, respectively. Along the way, Paul appeared in two Olympic Games and two FIFA World Cup Championships for Canada.

In spite of this background, Paul is currently living in Canada homeless, penniless, and with no social status. Alarmingly, Paul's experience is not isolated as many thousands of Canadians across the country and millions of people around the globe experience similar circumstances. The reason for this is due to the fact that Paul opened up to his employer and his community that he was suffering from poor mental health which included social anxiety, depression, and a substance use disorder.

Paul's honesty and willingness to confront and seek help with his condition led to unimaginable actions by his employers which included excommunication, harassment, and discrimination. Furthermore, Paul was asked to formalize his resignation. None of this is acceptable behavior, yet the Canadian judicial system allowed this to happen. Why? Because Paul was honest and forthcoming about his poor mental health and his substance use disorder.

Paul is a Canadian icon, yet his treatment is far from what we Canadians would believe is acceptable behavior in this great country of ours. If the Canadian Government does not look after our icons, who is to say that they will look after ordinary folk like you and I?  We are asking the Canadian Government to take immediate action to stop this unethical treatment of Canadian Citizens suffering from poor mental health and substance use disorder. Paul James is determined to end such treatment for all Canadians, and his determination could result in his death due to the hunger strike that Paul has embarked on. The clock is ticking for Paul, and he needs your support.