The Canadian Association for Neuroscience applauds new investments in science and research announced in budget 2024 by the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Finances of Canada. These announcements demonstrate that scientific research has real-world benefits to people across Canada, to Canada’s economy, and to Canada’s future prosperity. We specifically applaud the following measures:
Category: Advocacy
Research is the key to better brain health
One in two people will suffer from a mental illness across their lifetime. It is estimated that 1.7 million Canadians will suffer from dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, by the year 2030. The burden of brain disorders and diseases has substantially increased over the last 25 years with the aging of the population and the negative impact of the pandemic. This is having a detrimental impact on the economy, healthcare systems, and Canadian livelihood. Neurodegenerative diseases are the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide, and mental health disorders are the leading cause of days off work.
Canada is fortunate to have a rich and diverse community of brain scientists who tackle this challenge from many different angles. In addition to neurologists and brain surgeons, who treat patients directly, we must remember that the development of innovative treatment avenues relies on new basic research. Continue reading
Invitation to write to the Minister of Finances
We invite you to write to the Minister of Finances, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, to remind her and her team of the importance of investing in scientific research as they work on the 2024 Canadian budget.
CAN has drafted a sample letter, you can dowload here: CAN letter to Freeland Continue reading
Urgent appeal to recapitalize the Canada Brain Research Fund
We invite you to read a letter calling for urgent recapitalization of the Canada Brain Research Fund we recently sent to
The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions of Canada
The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health of Canada
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Finances of Canada
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Read the letter here: CAN-Brain-Canada-support-letter-2024
Read CAN’s submission to the 2024 Pre-budget consultations
2023 CAN Parliament Hill Day
CAN held its second in-person Parliament Hill Day in Otttawa on November 7, 2023. This presented an exceptional opportunity for a team of CAN advocates to meet face-to-face or virtually with members of Parliament, Senators, Parliamentary staff members and important senior civil servants to advocate for a increased support for the major federal funding agencies in Canada (Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and graduate student and postdoctoral fellowships and for making research on Brain and Mental Health a national priority. Continue reading
ThinkSci Outreach Program wins a CAN Advocacy Award
The Canadian Association for Neuroscience is proud to announce its support of the ThinkSci Outreach Program with a 2023 CAN Advocacy and Outreach award.
The “ThinkSci Outreach Program” is a workshop-based initiative organized and led by undergraduate and graduate students, with the goal of immersing high school seniors and 1st year CÉGEP students into the world of neurophysiology. Its long term goal is to reach local, regional and national underrepresented student communities in Canada. Continue reading
Investing in science will benefit all Canadians.
CAN is sharing with you the brief we have submitted to the House of Commons Finance (FINA), which is currently holding its consultations in advance of federal budget 2024. – our three recommendations are
The Canadian Association for Neuroscience recommends the following:
Recommendation 1: That the government double the budgets of the three main federal funding agencies: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for the benefit of all Canadians. This recommendation aims to bring Canadian investment in scientific research to a level commensurate to that of other G7 countries.
Recommendation 2: That the government of Canada double support for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows by increasing both the value and number of fellowships awarded in the next budget. In conjunction with Recommendation 1, this recommendation will ensure our next generation of scientists have the means to participate fully in Canada’s knowledge economy.
Recommendation 3: That the government of Canada make research on the Brain and Mental Health a national priority by investing in research to understand the brain through well-established and trusted organizations in the field.
Read our full submission for the FINA pre-budget submission here: Continue reading
Brief submitted to study on Government of Canada’s Graduate Scholarship and Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programs
Read the brief submitted by the Canadian Association for Neuroscience to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research study on “Government of Canada’s Graduate Scholarship and Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programs”.
Canada needs to stop the brain drain
Advocacy opportunities – June 2023
Please find below several opportunities to provide written submissions to various studies being undertaken at Committee’s in the House of Commons. Providing a written submission to a study is a great opportunity to build awareness for the important work you are doing, and the need for the government to continue investing in science and research. Submissions should be no more than 2,000 words, including footnotes, graphs, and images. While CAN provides written submissions on behalf of the organization to many of these studies, individual scientists and researchers are welcome to do the same. Continue reading
