Category: Non classé

Building on the success of last month’s G7 Canada Brain Economy Summit, CBRS Executive Director Jennie Z. Young, Ph.D., and economist Julian Karaguesian published an op-ed in The Hill Times—the country’s top policy outlet read closely by Parliamentarians and senior officials.

The article outlines how future economies will be powered by brain power—where healthy brains are matched by a highly skilled workforce created through investment in science and research. And Canada’s excellence in brain research is what will carry this future forward—driving the discoveries, innovations, and talent that make the brain economy real.

With Canada’s focus on productivity and economic growth, investing in brain health and research is the key to achieving both. The op-ed lays out why:

• One in five Canadians lives with a brain condition, with more than $50 billion spent annually on care and billions more lost in productivity.

• Employers, insurers, educators, and governments worldwide are already investing in brain health and skills as assets that strengthen performance and resilience.

• With world-class brain and mental health research capacity, high levels of post-secondary attainment, and early national strategies in AI and quantum, Canada is well placed to lead if brain research is recognized at the same level.

Together, these points show why brain must be a central part of Canada’s economic future. As the article concludes: “The brain economy is emerging, whether we shape it or not. Canada has the tools, the talent, and the momentum. What we need now is the leadership and coordination to match.”

Read the op-ed in The Hill Times (paywalled).

On May 21, 2025, CBRS Executive Director Jennie Z. Young joined global business leaders for high-level discussions on Brain Capital: The New Competitive Advantage in a Shifting Economy in Houston, Texas.

Hosted by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Business Collaborative for Brain Health, Rice University, and partners, the roundtables convened nearly 200 business executives, policymakers, neuroscientists, and investors to explore how brain health drives innovation, productivity, and long-term economic growth. Global leaders signaled growing private-sector commitment to the brain economy, opening new pathways for investment in brain health and research.

Dr. Young contributed to the session International Markets: Global Brain Health Challenges and Strategies, highlighting Canada’s national efforts to unite research, policy, and industry around brain health. The discussions underscored how countries are moving from narrative to action—with India piloting brain health clinics, Europe pooling €500 million into a new partnership, and Canada preparing a cross-sector roadmap for the G7 Summit in Calgary.

Across sessions, participants framed brain health as critical infrastructure for resilient societies, showcased emerging AI tools to measure brain capital in schools and workplaces, and emphasized the role of employers in creating brain-healthy environments. Houston itself was positioned as a “lighthouse” for the world’s first local brain economy strategy, linking business, health systems, and policy to workforce well-being.

On March 18, 2025, CBRS Executive Director Dr. Jennie Z. Young represented Canada at the International Brain Health Plans Summit in the European Parliament, organized by the European Brain Council and hosted by MEP Aurelijus Veryga.

The meeting gathered leaders advancing national brain health strategies, with contributions from Switzerland, Singapore, Norway, Spain, Poland, Finland, Denmark, and Canada, alongside the World Health Organization and European institutions.

Dr. Young presented Canada’s call for a Canadian Brain Research Initiative (CBRI) — a national framework to unite and scale brain research — highlighting how it connects to global priorities of innovation, productivity, and workforce resilience.

Across countries, a common message emerged:

• Brain health requires a holistic approach across the lifespan

• Research must be fully integrated into health systems

• Policy action is needed beyond health ministries, embedding brain health in economic and workforce agendas

With Canada holding the G7 Presidency, CBRS emphasized the importance of embedding brain health within global priorities such as innovation, productivity, and workforce resilience.

CBRS is proud to bring Canadian expertise to these global conversations and to connect international momentum back home. As part of our ongoing work, we continue to position brain health as a policy and investment priority — in Canada and worldwide.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) has released its report on the 2025 pre-budget consultations, setting out recommendations to the federal government ahead of Budget 2025.

Among them was our recommendation, which calls on Government to create a brain initiative for Canada with stable, targeted funding and, importantly, a sustained commitment to support it long-term. Its inclusion reflects recognition of this priority across all parties as represented on the Finance Committee.

This outcome demonstrates the power of Canada’s brain and mental health community speaking with one voice — momentum we can all be proud of as we move forward together.

Read our submission to the Finance Committee for pre-budget consultations.

Read the full Finance Committee report.

On November 20, 2024, during the Canadian Science Policy Conference, CBRS convened coalition leaders and partners from across research, health charities, patient groups, funders, and industry for a Strategic Retreat in Ottawa.

The retreat brought together diverse voices from across the brain and mental health ecosystem to reflect on progress to date and chart the path ahead. CBRS shared updates on ongoing initiatives — including Indigenous-led priorities — and outlined next steps for advancing the national strategy.

The afternoon underscored the value of gathering the coalition in one place: creating space for connections across sectors and building momentum for the future of brain health and research in Canada.