CBRS Hosts MP Maxime Blanchette-Joncas at the CERVO Brain Research Centre

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.