In collaboration with the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and the New Brunswick Parkinson’s Working Group, Parkinson Canada was proud to host the SOLVE Parkinson’s Conference in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on October 20. This gathering brought together a diverse group of voices, including people living with Parkinson’s, care partners, health care professionals, researchers, and community advocates from across the province. 

The goal of the conference was to create a space where the entire Parkinson’s community could connect, collaborate, and chart a shared path forward. Through open dialogue and interactive discussions with researchers, clinicians, and community members, participants explored how New Brunswick’s unique strengths could be harnessed to improve Parkinson’s research and care, as well as the barriers that members of the community currently face that need to be addressed to improve support and access to resources. 

New Brunswick’s unique strengths 

New Brunswick stands out for its close-knit community connections and commitment to supporting those living with Parkinson’s. Across the province, local chapters and support groups meet regularly, offering spaces for people with Parkinson’s and care partners to share experiences and access resources. This engagement is complemented by a growing network of clinical programs, including specialized facilities like the MIND Clinic and emerging precision medicine initiatives that bring advanced care closer to home. The province’s research landscape is also robust, with the University of New Brunswick, Université de Moncton, and the other academic and clinical institutions in the province advancing studies in neurodegenerative conditions and contributing valuable expertise to the national research ecosystem. 

As Canada’s only officially bilingual province, New Brunswick also offers unique opportunities to deliver care and communication in both English and French. 

Building on what already works 

The discussions highlighted several existing programs and partnerships that could be scaled or adapted to further strengthen Parkinson’s research and care in New Brunswick. The MIND Clinic, for example, was recognized as a key asset whose resources and expertise could be leveraged to provide Parkinson’s-specific services. Similarly, existing Parkinson’s support groups have the potential to expand their reach, offering comprehensive education and peer support across the province. 

Community-based health programs already thriving in other areas could be looked at as examples for programs to better serve people with Parkinson’s, such as the Alzheimer’s-focused First Link Program, identified as a model that could be tailored for Parkinson’s to promote early intervention and stronger connections to resources. Participants also discussed opportunities to enhance collaboration within primary health teams and to adapt initiatives like the Seniors Navigation Program to include Parkinson’s-specific guidance and support. 

Addressing key gaps and needs 

Despite these strengths, participants identified several challenges that must be addressed to maximize New Brunswick’s impact in Parkinson’s care and research. These challenges include: 

  • Accessibility concerns, with limited transportation options and infrastructure creating barriers to care.  
  • A shortage of neurologists and other specialists that often delays diagnosis and treatment. 
  • Inconsistent coordination between healthcare providers, leading to fragmented care experiences for patients and families. There’s a desire by many participants for better communication within the healthcare system. 
  • Care partners also face challenges in accessing care, mental health resources, and peer support. 
  • People living with Parkinson’s expressed difficulty finding and participating in research opportunities due to limited information and logistical barriers.  

As many participants noted, expectations are high for a small province like New Brunswick. There’s a good deal of commitment and energy, but resources and infrastructure must continue to grow to meet the community’s needs. 

Opportunities for national collaboration 

Participants saw tremendous potential in working together to leverage national expertise, align standards of care, and integrate local initiatives into larger research efforts. 

By improving communication channels between local and national partners, New Brunswick can ensure that valuable information flows both ways, allowing provincial innovation to inform national strategies, and national resources to support local care. Resource sharing also emerged as an important consideration. By distributing educational materials, clinical toolkits, and research updates through national networks, healthcare providers and people with Parkinson’s across the province could benefit from broader access to information. Finally, there was enthusiasm for developing new programs to support both people with Parkinson’s and their care partners, ensuring that families affected by Parkinson’s have access to comprehensive, compassionate care wherever they live within New Brunswick. 

Moving forward 

The SOLVE Parkinson’s Conference provided a valuable opportunity to discuss these realities openly and identify clear priorities for action. By fostering connections among local community representatives, clinicians, researchers, and organizations, the event helped illuminate how collective efforts can drive real change. 

Parkinson Canada would like to thank the team at UNB and the New Brunswick Parkinson’s Working Group for their collaboration and support in this work.