Category: CBRS News

Making Brain Research Matter with Evidence for Democracy

In advance of Canada’s federal election, CBRS partnered with Evidence for Democracy (E4D) to deliver a timely and practical advocacy training workshop, Making Brain Research Matter: Advocacy Tools for a Critical Election Year.

Participants heard from E4D Executive Director Sarah Laframboise and CBRS Executive Director Jennie Z. Young in a 90-minute session that equipped researchers, advocates, and engaged citizens with the skills and tools to engage policymakers on the importance of brain health and research.

Participants learned how to:

• Navigate advocacy pathways to effectively engage with policymakers and drive change

• Frame brain research in ways that resonate with decision-makers and the public—by connecting it to broader issues like healthcare sustainability, workforce resilience, and economic growth

• Use effective advocacy tools—including CBRS’s ongoing Vote for Brain Health campaign and embedded letter-writing platform—to take action and mobilize others.

The session also spotlighted E4D’s Vote Science campaign because a Vote for Brain Health is a vote for science, so while each has a distinct focus, they work together to strengthen the voice for science and research in Canada.

Whether you’re passionate about science, brain health, or both, now is the time to speak up and encourage others to do the same.

Download the presentation slides here.

Key moments in the workshop recording:

• Welcome & why advocacy matters now — [03:45]

• Introduction to the Canadian Brain Research Strategy — [14:25]

• Engaging in effective science advocacy — [21:15]

• Framing brain research for broader impact — [52:30]

• Live walkthrough of the Vote for Brain Health campaign & letter-writing tool — [1:19:34]

• Tips for personalizing your letter & mobilizing others — [1:21:21]

• Resources & ways to stay involved — [1:29:15]

Let’s keep the momentum going and make brain health and research matter this election—and beyond.

Une nouvelle campagne nationale – www.Vote4BrainHealth.ca – menée par la Stratégie canadienne de recherche sur le cerveau, exhorte les décideurs politiques à inclure la santé cérébrale à l’ordre du jour des élections.

OTTAWA, le 10 mars 2025 /HRI Portal/– La santé du cerveau est le prochain grand défi – et la prochaine opportunité – du Canada. Un Canadien sur cinq vit avec une affection cérébrale, faisant des troubles neurologiques la principale cause d’invalidité et coûtant des dizaines de milliards de dollars chaque année au système de santé et à l’économie en raison de la perte de productivité. Parallèlement, le Canada est un pôle mondial de recherche sur le cerveau, et ce domaine est à un tournant, avec des avancées majeures pour des affections comme la maladie d’Alzheimer, la dépression et les accidents vasculaires cérébraux à portée de main. Une action nationale coordonnée est nécessaire pour transformer des découvertes isolées en solutions bénéfiques pour tous les Canadiens.

C’est pourquoi la Stratégie canadienne de recherche sur le cerveau (SCRC) lance Votez pour la santé du cerveau (www.Vote4BrainHealth.ca), une campagne nationale appelant tous les partis fédéraux à s’engager à faire de la recherche sur le cerveau et de la santé cérébrale une priorité lors des prochaines élections. Lancée en pleine semaine « Cerveau en tête » (du 10 au 16 mars), cette campagne met en lumière l’urgence d’une Initiative canadienne de recherche sur le cerveau – un effort national ciblé visant à faire en sorte que le leadership canadien en matière de recherche sur le cerveau se traduise par de meilleurs traitements, une main-d’œuvre plus forte et un avenir plus sain pour tous les Canadiens.

Comment les Canadiens peuvent soutenir Votez pour la santé du cerveau

Les Canadiens sont invités à s’exprimer et à faire de la santé du cerveau un enjeu électoral. Visitez Vote4BrainHealth.ca pour agir dès maintenant :

• Signez l’appel à l’action. Contactez les candidats fédéraux leur demander de faire de la santé cérébrale une priorité de leur programme électoral.
• Mobilisez votre réseau. Partagez le message sur les réseaux sociaux en utilisant #Vote4BrainHealth et publiez une photo avec le libellé : « Je vote pour la santé du cerveau. Vous joindrez-vous à moi ? »

Un moment charnière pour la santé cérébrale et l’avenir du Canada

La recherche sur le cerveau ouvre la voie à une nouvelle ère de la médecine, avec des thérapies novatrices qui transforment les soins pour des maladies autrefois considérées comme incurables, comme la maladie d’Alzheimer. En parallèle, cette recherche façonne aussi l’avenir de l’économie. Tout comme l’intelligence artificielle redéfinit l’industrie et les emplois, les progrès en neurosciences transforment notre manière de travailler, d’apprendre et de rester en bonne santé. Dans un monde où le marché du travail est en constante évolution, la santé du cerveau devient un moteur économique clé, les fonctions cognitives et la résilience mentale étant plus cruciales que jamais.

Un investissement fédéral fort et coordonné en recherche sur le cerveau permettra de :

• Accélérer les découvertes – Une meilleure coordination favorise des percées plus rapides et une utilisation plus efficace des fonds de recherche.
• Transformer la santé cérébrale – Des avancées en matière de prévention, de traitement et de soins sont à portée de main. Un investissement structuré garantit que les découvertes passent du laboratoire à la clinique, ce qui se traduit par une amélioration de l’état de santé des Canadiens.
• Soutenir la prochaine génération – Investir dans les jeunes chercheurs assure une innovation continue dans le domaine de la santé cérébrale, engendrant des bénéfices économiques à long terme.

« La santé du cerveau est essentielle à l’avenir du Canada, et pourtant, elle est largement absente des discussions politiques nationales. » – Dr Jennie Z. Young, direction générale de la SCRC.
« Avec des élections à l’horizon, il est temps que le gouvernement fédéral prenne les devants et fasse de la santé cérébrale une priorité. Une Initiative canadienne de recherche sur le cerveau permettrait d’unir et d’accélérer les travaux de nos scientifiques de classe mondiale, en veillant à ce que les percées dans la recherche sur le cerveau se traduisent par de meilleurs soins, de l’innovation et de la croissance économique ».

Un appel à l’action du gouvernement fédéral

La campagne Votez pour la santé du cerveau exhorte tous les partis à s’engager à soutenir une Initiative canadienne de recherche sur le cerveau – un investissement stratégique visant à coordonner et à accélérer les efforts de recherche sur le cerveau au Canada. Le Comité permanent des finances de la Chambre des communes a déjà recommandé de financer une initiative nationale de recherche sur le cerveau dans le budget 2025, mais sans volonté politique, cette opportunité pourrait être perdue.

À propos de la Stratégie canadienne de recherche sur le cerveau (SCRC)

La SCRC est un mouvement pancanadien visant à faire progresser la recherche sur le cerveau et la santé mentale grâce à une coordination stratégique, au développement de politiques et à une collaboration intersectorielle. En tant qu’initiative unificatrice, la SCRC rassemble plus de 40 des principaux instituts et programmes de neurosciences et de santé mentale du Canada, ainsi que des chercheurs en début de carrière, des détenteurs de savoirs autochtones, des personnes vivant avec des troubles cérébraux, des bailleurs de fonds, des organismes de bienfaisance en santé, des organisations à but non lucratif et des partenaires de l’industrie.

Notre mission repose sur la vision d’une science du cerveau comme catalyseur du progrès politique, social, sanitaire et économique, au bénéfice du Canada et du monde entier.

Pour en savoir plus sur le CBRS, consultez le site canadianbrain.ca.

Contact pour les médias

Dr Jennie Z. Young, Ph.D.

Direction générale, Stratégie canadienne de recherche sur le cerveau

jennie.young@canadianbrain.ca

A new national campaign – www.Vote4BrainHealth.ca – led by the Canadian Brain Research Strategy, urges policymakers to put brain health on the election agenda.

OTTAWA, March 10, 2025 /HRI Portal/ – Brain health is Canada’s next big challenge—and opportunity. One in five Canadians lives with a brain condition, making brain disorders the leading cause of disability and costing the economy tens of billions each year in healthcare and caregiving hours. At the same time, Canada is a world-renowned hub for brain research and the field is at a turning point, with breakthroughs for conditions like Alzheimer’s, depression, and stroke within reach. Coordinated national action is needed to turn isolated discoveries into solutions that benefit all Canadians.

That’s why the Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS) is launching Vote for Brain Health (www.Vote4BrainHealth.ca), a national campaign calling on all federal parties to commit to prioritizing brain research and brain health in the next election. Timed with Brain Awareness Week (March 10-16), the campaign highlights the urgent need for a Canadian Brain Research Initiative—a focused national effort to ensure that Canada’s brain research leadership translates into better treatments, a stronger workforce, and a healthier future for all Canadians.

How Canadians Can Support Vote for Brain Health

Canadians are invited to speak up and make brain health an election issue. Visit Vote4BrainHealth.ca to act now:

• Sign the call to action. Contact federal candidates to urge that brain health be a priority in their platforms

Activate your network. Share the message on social media using #Vote4BrainHealth and post a photo with the printout sign: “I’m voting for brain health. Will you join me?”

A Pivotal Moment for Brain Health and Canada’s Future

Brain research is unlocking the next frontier of medicine, with new therapies transforming brain conditions once considered untreatable, like Alzheimer’s. At the same time, it is shaping the future of the economy. Just as AI is redefining industries and jobs, advances in brain science are reshaping how we work, learn, and stay healthy. As workplaces rapidly evolve, brain health is emerging as a key economic driver, with cognitive function and mental resilience more critical than ever.

A strong, coordinated federal investment in brain research will:

• Accelerate Discoveries – Smarter coordination means faster breakthroughs and more effective use of research funding.
• Transform Brain Health – Advances in prevention, treatment, and care are within reach. Coordinated investment ensures that discoveries move from the lab to the clinic, leading to improved health outcomes for Canadians.
• Support the Next Generation – Investing in young researchers ensures continuous progress in brain health innovation, creating long-term economic benefits.

“Brain health is central to Canada’s future, yet it remains largely absent from national policy discussions,” says Dr. Jennie Z. Young, Executive Director of CBRS. “With an election on the horizon, it’s time for federal leadership to step up and make brain health a priority. A Canadian Brain Research Initiative would unite and accelerate the work of our world-class scientists, ensuring that breakthroughs in brain research translate into better care, innovation, and economic growth.”

A Call for Federal Action

Vote for Brain Health urges all parties to commit to a Canadian Brain Research Initiative—a strategic investment to coordinate and accelerate Canada’s brain research efforts. The House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance has already recommended funding a national brain research initiative in the 2025 budget, but without political will, this opportunity could be lost.

About the Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS)

CBRS is a pan-Canadian movement to advance brain and mental health research through strategic coordination, policy development, and cross-sector collaboration. As a unifying initiative, CBRS brings together more than 40 of Canada’s leading neuroscience and mental health institutes and programs, along with early career researchers, Indigenous Knowledges Holders, people with lived experience of brain conditions, research funders, health charities, non-profits, and industry partners. Our work is driven by the vision of brain science as a catalyst for policy, social, health, and economic progress for Canada and the world.

Learn more about CBRS at canadianbrain.ca

Media Contact

Dr. Jennie Z. Young, Ph.D.

Executive Director, Canadian Brain Research Strategy

CBRS and global experts have released a new editorial, based on a policy concept note, calling on the G7 to recognize brain health and brain skills as core economic priorities. With Canada chairing the G7 in 2025, this is a pivotal moment to put brain capital at the heart of economic policy. 

Why Brain Capital Matters for Economic Growth 

The future of economic resilience depends on brain capital—the combination of brain health and cognitive skills that fuels innovation, productivity, and adaptability. Yet, despite its critical role, brain capital is missing from major economic strategies, leaving a significant gap in policy planning.  

The evidence shows that failing to invest in brain capital has serious economic consequences because: 

• The workforce is changing: Half of the top emerging job skills identified in the 2025 Future of Jobs Report are brain-related (e.g. creativity, analytical thinking).
• The economic impact of brain disorders is massive: Brain disorders cost the global economy an estimated $2.5–$8.5 trillion annually in lost productivity. 
• Aging populations and workforce stress are on the rise: Without investment in brain health, economies risk lower productivity, higher healthcare costs, and declining innovation. 

What’s at Stake If We Don’t Act? 

Failing to prioritize brain capital could mean: 

• Workforce decline: Brain-related conditions already impact 1 in 5 Canadians, limiting economic participation. 
• Innovation slowdown: A healthy, resilient workforce drives scientific and technological breakthroughs. 
• Economic stagnation: Without cognitive resilience, countries will struggle to compete in the global economy. 

A Blueprint for the G7 

To future-proof the global economy, the editorial’s authors call on the G7 to: 

1. Establish a G7 Brain Economy Working Group to integrate brain capital into health, finance, workforce, and innovation policies. 
2. Host the first-ever G7 Brain Economy Summit to drive global action. 
3. Align with the private sector to encourage corporate investment in brain health and productivity. 

From National Advocacy to Global Action 

CBRS has long advocated for brain research as a driver of not only better health outcomes but of economic growth, innovation, and workforce resilience. Key milestones include: 

• Brain Research Must Be a National Priority for the Social, Health, and Economic Advancement of Canada – written submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance: Pre-budget consultations in advance of budget 2023 
• Brain Research: The Cornerstone for Canada’s Future Socio-Economic Wealth – a panel discussion at the 2023 Canadian Science Policy Conference 
• Brain Science is the Foundation of the Brain Economy Transformation – an editorial at Sciencepolicy.ca
• Scaling Research for Impact: From Local Insights to Global Solutions – a symposium and workshop at the 2024 Canadian Science Policy Centre Conference 

With Canada leading the G7 in 2025, we see an unprecendented opportunity to elevate brain health and brain research on the global stage as critical drivers of economic resilience, workforce productivity, and prosperity.

Read the editorial.

Read the policy concept note.

Reflecting on 2024, I’m proud to share the incredible progress CBRS has made alongside our many partners and supporters. Together, we’ve advanced shared priorities and strengthened the foundation for brain and mental health research in Canada.

I invite you to watch our 2024 highlights video and celebrate these accomplishments!

As we look ahead to 2025, CBRS will continue driving efforts to establish a national brain research initiative—a key step in securing Canada’s leadership in brain health and innovation. Let’s build on the momentum we’ve created together and keep brain and mental health at the forefront of the nation’s agenda.

Dr. Jennie Z. Young

The Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS) is proud to announce the publication of a guest editorial in the latest issue of the Canadian Science Policy Magazine. Written by CBRS Executive Director Dr. Jennie Z. Young, the editorial highlights the urgent need for a Canadian Brain Research Initiative to address the growing challenges in brain and mental health research while leveraging Canada’s unique strengths.

Dr. Young writes:

“Canada has nurtured a century-long legacy of leadership in brain research, contributing significant progress in understanding how the brain works and tackling its many challenges. As we grapple with urgent brain health issues that affect millions of Canadians, the time has come for a coordinated national effort to scale these efforts for maximum impact.”

The editorial emphasizes how a federal investment in a Canadian Brain Research Initiative could unite expertise across neuroscience, clinical research, population health, social sciences, and Indigenous Knowledges. Such an initiative, Dr. Young argues, would drive transformative breakthroughs in brain research, benefiting millions of Canadians and reinforcing the country’s position as a global leader in this critical field.

Read the full editorial.

The Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS) is proud to be featured in Hill Times Health, highlighting its leadership in developing an impactful Canadian Brain Research Initiative. The article, authored by Executive Editor Tessie Sanci, explores CBRS’s efforts to unite diverse stakeholders and advocates for sustained investment to address pressing challenges in brain and mental health research.

A collaborative strategy to transform brain health
The feature emphasizes CBRS’s unique role as a unifying force in Canada’s research ecosystem. CBRS Executive Director Dr. Jennie Z. Young describes the organization as an “objective third party,” facilitating collaboration among research leaders, policymakers, Indigenous Knowledges Holders, people with lived experience, industry, and research funders.

CBRS is advocating for federal funding to create a long-term, stable framework that fosters coordination and collaboration across the brain and mental health research ecosystem. Dr. Young highlights the critical need for strategic and sustained funding to ensure Canada maintains its position as a global leader in brain research while addressing the fact that 7.5 million Canadians live with brain conditions.

Making brain research a national priority
Dr. Young underscores the interconnected nature of brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. She emphasizes that Canada’s fragmented funding system often leaves complex, interdisciplinary fields like brain research without adequate support. A unified national strategy, she argues, is essential to bridge these gaps and scale research for maximum impact.

Addressing Canada’s research funding challenges
The article also delves into systemic challenges facing Canada’s research community, including lagging federal investment compared to G7 peers. While Canada invests 1.7% of GDP in research and development, the U.S. and U.K. invest 3.5% and 2.9%, respectively. This underfunding, coupled with a lack of stable, long-term grants, contributes to a brain drain of talent, with many Canadian-trained researchers leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.

Dr. Young explains, “We subsidize our post-secondary education so much, and then we’re just losing [researchers].” She likens the current system to staffing a federal bureaucracy with entry-level employees, as researchers often leave just as they reach their full potential.

A vision for the future
CBRS’s advocacy reflects a shared commitment to building a healthier, more innovative Canada. As the Hill Times Health article notes, CBRS’s proposed initiative could not only address pressing health challenges but also position Canada as a global leader in brain research, ensuring that discoveries benefit generations to come.

Learn More
The full article, Federal dollars for brain research strategy is good for brain health and keeping researchers in Canada, says advocate, is available behind a paywall on Hill Times Health’s website. 

At Scaling Research for Impact: Local Insights to Global Solutions, a symposium and workshop at CSPC2024, the Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS) is bringing together global experts and Canadian leaders to explore how research can be scaled to deliver broad health, social, and economic benefits. This event goes beyond brain and mental health to bring discussions and outcomes that will resonate across a wide range of research areas. By incorporating diverse perspectives and innovative approaches, CBRS is striving to empower attendees to uncover actionable insights and concrete strategies for advancing research, collaboration, and implementation in Canada.

Details

Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2024 

Location: CSPC2024 – The Westin Ottawa | 8:00am – 12pm EST 

Featured Speakers 

• Senator Dr. Stan Kutcher, internationally renowned psychiatrist and leader in youth mental health research and policy. 

• Dr. Tarun Dua, Head of the Brain Health Unit, World Health Organization. 

• Jennifer French, Executive Director of Neurotech Network. 

• Dr. Harris Eyre, Neuro-Policy Lead at Rice University’s Baker Institute and champion of the brain economy. 

• Frédéric Destrebecq, Executive Director of the European Brain Council. 

• Marie D’Iorio, President of Deep Tech Canada and trailblazer in nanotechnology and innovation ecosystems. 

Agenda 

Expert Panel Discussion 

Global thought leaders will share successful models for scaling research and explore strategies to translate knowledge into actionable societal impact. Topics include: 

• Translating research into health, social, and economic benefits. 

• Collaborating across disciplines and sectors for greater impact. 

• Scaling local insights into global solutions. 

Workshop 

Participants from government, research institutions, health charities, and patient organizations will join dynamic discussions to collaboratively develop scalable solutions. Facilitated by national leaders, these sessions will foster practical, actionable strategies for scaling research impact.

Stay Connected 

Follow us on social media (LinkedIn and X) and check back here at Canadianbrain.ca for event highlights, resources, and key takeaways. 

Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates from CBRS. 

The Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS) was delighted to welcome MP Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Vice Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research (SRSR), to the CERVO Brain Research Centre in Quebec City. Our MP Research Centre Briefings are vital to our efforts to ensure brain and mental health research remains a priority on Canada’s policy agenda while building trust and shared understanding between policymakers and the research community.

During the visit, CBRS Executive Director Dr. Jennie Z. Young and CERVO Director Dr. Yves de Koninck emphasized the need for a strategic investment in brain research through a Canadian Brain Research Initiative. MP Blanchette-Joncas engaged with CERVO’s senior scientists, early-career researchers, graduate students, and technical staff—key contributors to the success of brain and mental health research. 

A highlight of the visit was an MRI brain scan demonstration, in which MP Blanchette-Joncas experienced the collaborative effort behind advanced neuroimaging. Contributors to the demonstration included Dr. Stephen Laureys, Dr. Roxanne Hoyer, PhD students Marie-Frédérique Bernier and Nicola Thibault, early-career researchers Dr. Philippe Albouy and Dr. Marie-Ève Paquet, and neuroimaging specialists Céline Leclerc and Daphnée Le Sage.

The visit also included a discussion with leaders from the Alliance en Santé Mentale du Québec (ASMQ), exploring the intersection between brain and mental health research. Dr. Marc Hébert, Dr. David Luck, and Dr. Katherine Picard provided valuable insights into the importance of addressing mental health challenges through research-driven solutions. 

This briefing reinforced the critical need for a coordinated national strategy to advance brain research and innovation. A Canadian Brain Research Initiative would enhance the ability of senior scientists to deliver groundbreaking discoveries, support essential personnel like research technicians, and ensure the transdisciplinary training needed to develop Canada’s future scientific leaders in brain and mental health. 

CBRS sincerely thanks MP Blanchette-Joncas for his support and interest in the transformative research at CERVO. We look forward to continued collaboration to strengthen Canada’s leadership in brain research and mental health innovation.

On November 7, 2024, CBRS Executive Director, Dr. Jennie Z. Young was called to deliver testimony before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research (SRSR). The session focused on reshaping Canada’s research funding ecosystem through the proposed Capstone organization, announced in Budget 2024. 

The Capstone aims to bring more coordination, cohesion and agility to Canada’s federal research funding system, integrating the efforts of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Dr. Young emphasized that the Capstone could foster collaboration, bridge funding gaps, and enable  multidisciplinary research to tackle urgent and complex challenges, including brain and mental health research.  

“One of the capstone’s foundational aims is to support multidisciplinary research, which is essential as the scientific landscape evolves and challenges grow more complex. This focus is especially crucial in a frontier field like brain and mental health research, where its intersection with artificial intelligence puts it somewhere between CIHR and NSERC, and with the importance of psychology and other social sciences, it means that brain research often falls outside the mandates of our existing funding agencies. This challenge illustrates why we need an overarching organization like the Capstone to bridge gaps and ensure that particularly complex ones like brain research isn’t left without sufficient support,” said Dr. Young. 

She also highlighted the importance of long-term, stable, and flexible funding mechanisms to support innovative research and collaboration. She called on policymakers to seize the opportunity to strengthen Canada’s research infrastructure..   

“My understanding of the Capstone is that it’s really supposed to do something extra, on top [of the granting councils],” said Dr. Young during her testimony. “[In Canada,] we do have that unique superpower of being able to collaborate, and it requires infrastructure and resources to support it.” 

Dr. Young’s testimony reinforced the alignment between the CBRS’s vision and the Capstone’s goals: fostering collaboration, bridging funding gaps, and enhancing agility in Canada’s research funding system. With these priorities, CBRS is optimistic about the Capstone’s potential to amplify brain and mental health research and position Canada as a global leader in brain health innovation. 

Watch Dr. Young’s testimony

Read her opening remarks.