Mr. Speaker, last Sunday, Julianne Moore won the Academy Award for best actress for her portrayal of a college professor suffering early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Still Alice is a powerful story of an accomplished and engaged professional, fighting to stay ahead in a race she knows she will eventually lose.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in Canada. It is also a progressive and irreversible disease. Sadly, there is no cure. The number of Canadians living with it is expected to double by 2031, and women represent 70% of new cases.
Our government understands the tremendous burden that dementia can place on those it touches, as well as on society in general, and has invested over $220 million dollars for research into Alzheimer's disease and related dementias since 2006. Government partners include the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Women's Brain Health Initiative, and Baycrest.
Ms. Moore said in her Oscar acceptance speech that people with Alzheimer's deserve to be seen, so that we can find a cure. I agree, and I encourage all Canadians to witness this performance that is very much worth seeing.