Thank you so much for inviting me to speak with you today, and for the committee's support of Bill C-277.

A brain injury can impact every aspect of a person's life. This includes changes to their independence, abilities, work, and relationships with family, friends and the world around them.

An outdated statistic cites that there are approximately 1.5 million individuals living with the effects of brain injury. The true number is likely much higher.

A brain injury is not just a one-time event. For many, it marks the beginning of a chronic condition that they must navigate for the rest of their lives. Thanks to advancements in diagnostics and treatment, we are now able to keep people alive after severe injuries. However, we do not have a health care system that is built to support their needs over the long term.

While many people living with a brain injury are falling through the cracks, there are also many people who lead stable lives, yet still lack access to the services and supports they need to live well. The invisible nature of brain injuries poses significant challenges, as many face judgment, stigma and isolation. This invisibility can hinder access to necessary supports and accommodations, making it difficult for affected individuals to navigate daily life.

A brain injury is deeply intersectional, influencing and being influenced by a range of personal circumstances and systemic barriers.

In terms of mental health, individuals with a brain injury are at a higher risk of developing mental health issues, including depression, anxiety and PTSD.

The unemployment rate for individuals with brain injuries is significantly higher than the national average. This can lead to poor psychosocial outcomes, decreased community integration and economic dependence.

Stable and appropriate housing is a driving issue. Depending on the area, the wait time for brain injury-specific housing is anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Families often shoulder the care for a loved one when there are no appropriate housing options, and this is often done with little or no financial support.

For many, these barriers lead to homelessness. A recent meta-analysis found that 53% of homeless people report having experienced a brain injury in their lifetime. These people are not receiving any care or rehabilitation for their brain injury.

A brain injury can lead to opioid use, and an opioid overdose can cause a brain injury. There is an urgent need for a comprehensive strategy that promotes prevention, rehabilitation and support for these affected individuals, who are often younger in age, with a normal life expectancy, but face long-term challenges that are not adequately addressed.

There is also growing awareness about intimate partner violence and brain injuries. Up to 92% of women survivors of intimate partner violence may also experience a traumatic brain injury.

It is also essential to highlight the prevalence of brain injuries as higher among indigenous, first nations and Métis peoples in Canada when compared to the general population. They often face systemic barriers that limit their access to health care services, including geographical and financial barriers as well as cultural and language barriers.

A coordinated national approach to prevention, treatment and recovery in the form of a national strategy is long overdue for Canada. Accurate data is essential for saving lives and informing decision-making, yet Canada urgently lacks comprehensive long-term data. This gap hinders our understanding of the ongoing challenges faced by individuals living with brain injuries. A strategy would improve data collection and health care tracking and would provide valuable insights to shape effective policies at the provincial and territorial levels.

A national strategy would boost research funding, leading to better diagnosis and treatment and a deeper understanding of brain injuries as a chronic condition. This would facilitate the development of effective long-term interventions and robust community supports.

A national strategy would enhance awareness and education, equipping health care providers with the necessary knowledge, while raising public understanding to reduce stigma.

A national strategy would establish coordinated national guidelines for prevention, diagnosis and management, ensuring equitable access to quality care for all Canadians.

A national strategy would provide essential support for individuals and families navigating the health care system, including sustainability support for the 50-plus brain injury associations filling the gaps in the health care system.

Finally, a national strategy would allow us to leverage reliable data while prioritizing prevention and early intervention, ultimately enabling us to significantly reduce health care costs through proactive measures and community supports.

Investing in a national strategy is not only a moral imperative, but also a wise economic decision that could yield substantial savings for the health care system. Canada needs a national strategy on brain injuries to ensure that every Canadian has access to the resources they need to recover and thrive after a brain injury.

Thank you.

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