Jonathan Gagnon

**Jonathan Gagnon** was a contestant on Season 3.

## Background

*Retrieved from CBC.ca*

Trained as an Environmental Engineer, Jonathan’s life took a major turn after an attack on the streets of Vancouver left him with a traumatic brain injury. Since the injury he has pursued a career in the world of entertainment as a comedian, screenwriter and filmmaker. His career paths show his strengths in language and logic, but Jon’s secret weapons are his physical prowess as a long time hockey and baseball player, and his eye for visuals as a talented, published cartoonist.

Jon was able to take the challenges he has faced in his life and turn them into art, most recently winning “Best Animation Screenplay” at the Las Vegas International Screenwriting Festival.

Jon took on the challenge of Canada’s Smartest Person as a chance to test his own limits as he returns to his former self after a long road of recovery.

## Episode 301

As Jonathan entered the stage with his competitors, a clip of him and the other five contestants, Susan Forgues, Stephanie Harvey, Vincent Law, Rup Magon, and Steve Norn, introducing themselves was shown. In this clip, Jonathan revealed that he suffered a brain injury and that winning *Canada's Smartest Person* would make him feel smart again. In the first challenge, the Speed Round, Jonathan received an overall percentage score of 67%. As a result, Jonathan finished in 2nd place and was awarded 3 overall points.

With the first challenge and the resulting double elimination out of the way, a more elaborate clip presenting Susan, Jonathan, Steve, and Stephanie in that order was shown. In this clip, Jonathan revealed that he suffered a brain injury after being jumped in his neighbourhood and that he has spent the past two years seeing brain specialists and doing rehabilitation. In the second challenge, Mix Master, Jonathan earned 3 points. As a result, Jonathan finished in 2nd place and was awarded 3 overall points.

In the third challenge, Spin-a-Speech, Jonathan was the second contestant up and had to give a motivational speech as a coach. He said, "Alright, Scott, I'm not going to lie. The first half, you were playing like a **drunk** **uncle** staying in my cousin's **condo**. I need you to be back to when you were a **wizard** of the game, back when you were **gifted**. Right now, the first half has left a little **sour** taste in everyone's mouth and we want it to taste more like **honey**. I want you to dig deep, dig deep as that **armpit** will let you go. I want you to start feeling loose, loose like a **moose**, maybe, and start getting **flexible** and dig deep because you are the **hero**. You are the hero that we **imagine**, the **sword** wielding hero." Jonathan received a score of 13 words. Guest judge Scott Thompson commented that Jonathan made him feel like he wanted to play better and make his coach happy. Scott ranked Jonathan in 1st place for his overall performance and Jonathan was awarded 5 overall points as a result.

In the fourth challenge, Gear Head, Jonathan correctly assembled his blue gears 37 seconds into the challenge, correctly assembled his red gears 1 minute and 16 seconds into the challenge, and correctly assembled his green gears and triggered his whistle 2 minutes and 7 seconds into the challenge. As a result, Jonathan finished in 2nd place and was awarded 6 overall points. After the first four challenges, Jonathan had received a total of 17 overall points. As a result, he finished in 2nd place and was congratulated by Jessi, along with Stephanie, for qualifying for the Gauntlet.

In the fifth and final challenge, the Gauntlet, Jonathan maintained a healthy lead over Stephanie over the first three sections. However, Jonathan had a lot of trouble getting past the second gate at the musical section, which allowed for Stephanie to catch up to and overtake him. Though Jonathan did eventually get past said second gate, Stephanie was already about to complete the linguistic section. Ultimately, Jonathan stopped at the musical section as Stephanie hit the buzzer, which signalled her victory and her spot in the season finale. After the challenge ended and Stephanie was declared the first finalist of the season, Jonathan and Stephanie celebrated onstage with Jessi.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 https://www.cbc.ca/smartestperson/participants/johnathan-g