Reflections on the G7 Canada Brain Economy Summit

The University of Calgary was front and centre this summer as global leaders in brain health gathered in our city to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, improve government policy and increase investment.

More than 100 academics, researchers, policymakers and business leaders gathered in Calgary in June for the G7 Canada Brain Economy Summit, timed to align with the G7 summit happening simultaneously in Kananaskis.

The Cumming School of Medicine’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI) played a central role in the event, which included development of a Canada Brain Economy Declaration. The declaration had several recommendations, calling on G7 finance and health ministers to work together to accelerate the brain economy and establish a G7+ Brain Economy Working Group to better align efforts in brain health globally.

We interviewed Dr. David Park, PhD, director of the HBI, to learn more about the event, the declaration, and what’s at stake for Canadians.

We have all heard of the G7 summit, but what prompted there to be a G7 Brain Economy Summit held in correlation with this year's G7?

We are at a point where brain-related disorders are significantly impacting the economy. In 2019, the Brain Health Atlas reported that $8.5 trillion USD in income was lost due to brain-related disorders and this number will only increase with time, and that by 2050, there will be 4.9 billion cases of brain disorders worldwide. In addition, The World Economic Forum 2025, held earlier this year in Davos, identified brain health as a global economic priority, setting the stage for this urgent and timely conversation. 

These metrics and forward-looking estimates make it very clear that this issue will only get worse as populations age. So the time to collaborate and focus on brain capital (which includes both brain health and brain skills) is now.

What role does Canada play in the brain economy?

Canada is in the ideal position to lead and advance the brain economy. With the country’s commitment to research and innovation and its multiple leading institutes and centres of neuroscience research, such as the HBI, we are poised to guide policymakers and employers in how to adopt a holistic approach to health care that includes brain health. 

Together, Canada can partner with other G7 countries to co-ordinate effective action across all sectors, ensuring we are at the forefront of inclusive and resilient growth and innovation. 

Can you share some highlights from the event?

The day was an engaging mix of in-person and virtual presentations. The event kicked off with introductory remarks from Canadian dignitaries who did an excellent job setting the stage and highlighting the importance of the day’s agenda. 

Linda Lafontaine, a patient advocate living with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP), offered a patient perspective, which is critically important. HSP is a rare neurological disease which causes progressive weakness and stiffness of the legs, leading those affected to eventually need a cane or wheelchair. Her talk, titled Together, We Are Stronger, discussed her personal health journey and the need for collaboration using Open Science, ensuring that vital research and patient data is accessible to both researchers and clinicians, helping guide new treatments and research.

The day also featured an interactive Innovation Showcase, in which attendees were able to explore booths featuring cutting-edge neuroscience initiatives and neurotechnologies, and to see first-hand how advances in technology can be applied to further brain health.

There were several TED-style talks from an array of expert speakers and an engaging panel on Accelerating the Canadian Brain Economy Transition which explored how Canada is well-positioned to lead the brain economy and the future of innovation in brain health. 

Another highlight was a video message from Seth and Lauren Miller Rogen, co-founders of Hilarity for Charity, who spotlighted the importance of public awareness and advocacy in addressing neurodegenerative diseases.

Our closing speaker was George Vradenburg, founding chairman of the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative, who stressed the significance of brain health and the critical need for G7 leaders to recognize the importance of prioritizing brain health for economic growth, fiscal stability and social progress.

Where can we learn more?

The Canada Brain Economy Declaration is available online and we encourage people to visit and learn more about this important initiative. We also have captured the talks from the day on our Youtube channel in case you were unable to attend. 

What are the next steps to keep the momentum of this collaboration moving forward? 

Brain capital is Alberta’s next great resource, just as vital as oil in the ground and wheat in our fields, it is the human ingenuity that turns potential into prosperity. By investing in research, innovation, and talent, Alberta and Canada can ensure our traditional strength fuel a future built on ideas as much as natural resources. We will continue to support the upcoming global forums, including the United Nations General Assembly (September 2025), the G20 Summit (November 2025), and the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos (January 2026).