The Government of Canada recognizes the high rates of brain and neurological diseases, disorders, illnesses, and other health conditions impacting thousands of people across Canada. One in three people in Canada will face a neurological disease or neuropsychiatric disorder in their lifetime. As Canada's population ages, incidences of brain diseases and disorders, and the cost of caring for affected individuals, are expected to rise, putting additional stress on an already strained system.
Today, the Honourable Minister Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Honourable Minister Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada on behalf of the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, reaffirmed the Government of Canada's support for the advancement of brain research in Canada. Budget 2024 announced renewed funding for Brain Canada Foundation (Brain Canada) with a commitment of $80 million over four years. This investment will be matched by Brain Canada, for a total envelope of $160 million through the Canada Brain Research Fund, to improve health outcomes and quality of life for people in Canada.
There are more than a thousand brain diseases and disorders, including mental health diseases and disorders; neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis; brain and spinal cord injuries; brain cancer; and stroke. Brain Canada plays an important role in understanding how the brain works, contributing to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of disorders of the brain. They support innovative approaches to develop treatments and support those at risk of, or affected by, neurological illnesses.
Since 2016, the federal government has committed more than $16 billion in funding for research that supports groundbreaking discoveries in areas such as climate change, health emergencies, artificial intelligence, and psychological health. This research plays a critical role in solving the world's greatest challenges, those that will have impacts for generations.
