Thank you very much.

Good afternoon, everyone.

My name is Miriam Beauchamp. I'm a pediatric neuropsychologist, full professor in the department of psychology at the Université de Montréal, and director of the brain and child development axis at the Sainte-Justine hospital research centre in Montreal. I'm speaking here as an individual, as a researcher. I will make most of my presentation in French. Since I also work with members of several pan-Canadian groups that support Bill C-277, I will conclude briefly in English.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to present to you today. I speak to you as a researcher supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Fonds de recherche du Québec and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. I also hold the Canada research chair in pediatric traumatic brain injury. Therefore, I would like to start by thanking Canadians for supporting my research.

My presentation today has two objectives. First, I want to support Bill C‑277 for the well-being of people living with brain injury. Second, I want to demonstrate that the scientific ecosystem is key to achieving the objectives of the legislation, and thus to highlight the importance of increasing federal research funding.

For the past 15 years, I have been dedicated to advancing our knowledge on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of brain injury in children from birth to age 18. In Canada, we do excellent research and are well recognized around the world, but our research is fragile. Conducting research is an iterative process that requires constant renewal of our projects and staying ahead of rapidly evolving technology. Undertaking high-quality research is therefore costly, and depends entirely on financial support from our government.

This funding is crucial in three regards. First, it is used to fund large-scale research projects that lead to concrete clinical action for people with brain injury. For example, in my group, we are following over 1,000 babies and preschoolers to understand the impact of brain injury on development. We have identified significant behavioural problems and are now testing family-based interventions to address them.

Second, the funding is important for having the best equipment and infrastructure and remaining competitive with other countries. For example, in my laboratory, we use mobile neuroimaging technology that enables us to obtain brain images on the field when youth sustain a blow to the head. We have also developed a virtual reality treatment to improve the mental health and social life of teenagers after a brain injury.

Finally, the funding is critical for supporting our teams, made up almost entirely of motivated, dedicated and passionate students and post-docs who devote up to 12 years of their lives to research, without pay. For example, in 15 years, I have supervised 48 students who depended entirely on government grants to pay their tuition, rent and groceries, so that they can concentrate fully on improving the future of Canadians with pediatric brain injuries.

Although progress has been made in recent years in the management of brain injuries, there is still much to learn about this complex, multi-faceted condition. Maintaining and increasing federal funding for research is essential to the full implementation of Bill C-277 and to saving the lives of Canadians with brain injuries.

Concrete recommendations include: direct investment in research funding that specifically targets brain injury across the lifespan, from birth to aging; implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Advisory Panel on the Federal Research Support System; support for pan-Canadian collaborative initiatives, such as the Canadian Concussion Network and the Canadian Traumatic Brain Injury Research Consortium, which enable us to pool our expertise and develop a concerted strategy.

In summary, I recommend that the committee not overlook the importance of research in the proposed national brain injury strategy, Bill C-277, and ensure that federal funding is increased to guarantee the sustainability of all research groups that ensure the survival and well-being of Canadians with brain injury.

Thank you.