Now entering its 17th year, Life Sciences Ontario’s Ideas to Action Forum returns in September 2026 as the premier gathering for leaders across industry, academia, and government to shape the future of Ontario’s health innovation ecosystem.
Get ready for TED-style talks, high-impact audience engagement sessions, and a political pundit panel diving into real talk behind science policy, funding, and global collaboration. With a sharp focus on Ontario’s global advantage, the future of collaboration, and navigating science in a new world order, this year’s Forum promises fresh insights and bold ideas.
From dissecting misinformation and the “attack on science,” to addressing the economic realities facing the sector, to spotlighting advanced therapeutics and biomanufacturing, Ideas to Action is where real conversations drive real change.
Whether you’re leading strategy, shaping policy, or championing innovation, this is the room you want to be in.
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Time: 8 A.M – 6 P.M
Venue: The Arcadian, 401 Bay Street, Simpson Tower, 8th Floor, Toronto
TICKETS (All prices + HST)
Regular
- Members: $300
- Non-members: $400
- Government / Registered Charities / Full-time Students: $150
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact leela@lifesciencesontario.ca
Program
| 8:00-
8:30 am |
Registration & Networking Breakfast
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| 8:30- 8:40 am | Welcome Remarks
Jason Field, President and CEO, Life Sciences Ontario |
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| 8:40- 8:50 am | Special Announcement | ||||||||
| 8:50- 9:00 am | Opening Remarks
Speaker: Honourable Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade |
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| 9:00- 9:45 am | Keynote Address
Speaker: Dr. Dante Morra, Founder and CEO, CAN Health Network |
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| 9:45- 10:35 am | Cross Ministry Panel: Health Innovation Pathways and FAST Pilot Update
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Speakers
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| 10:35-10:55 am | Morning Networking Break
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| 10:55-11:25 am | TED Talk – Nuclear Medicine as a National Strategic Asset
Speaker: Melody Greaves, Executive Director and Vice President Government Relations, Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
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| 11:25 am – 12:25 pm | Canada’s Life Sciences Sovereignty in a Shifting World
Moderator: Ryan Wiley, President, Shift Health
Panelists:
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| 12:25- 1:25 pm | Buffet Lunch | ||||||||
| 1:25- 2:25 pm | Unfiltered: Hot Takes on Policy, Innovation, and the Future
Moderator: Parimal Nathwani, Managing Partner, Life Sciences Venture Fund, BDC Panelists: – Brian Bloom, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Bloom Burton – Anne Woods, Managing Director, Life Science & Healthcare, RBCx – Cate Murray, Stem Cell Network |
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| 2:25- 2:55 pm | TED Talk VITAL / Health Data & AI
Speaker: Dr. Fahad Razak, Co-Lead, VITAL; Internist and Scientist, Unity Health Toronto |
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| 2:55- 3:15 pm | Afternoon Break | ||||||||
| 3:15- 3:45 pm | TED Talk: Agriculture in Life Sciences
Speaker: Pierre Petelle, President and CEO,Crop Life Canada |
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| 3:45- 4:45 pm | Political Pundits Panel
Moderator: – Michelle McLean, President and CEO, HealthCareCAN Panelist: – Jason Lietaer, President, Enterprise Canada – Jordan Leichnitz, Political Advisor, Curse of Politics – Sarah Letersky, Senior Vice President, Rubicon Strategy – Vandana Kattar, CBC Political Commentator |
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| 4:45- 5:00 pm | Close the Day & Next Steps from Committee Co-Chairs
Isra Wani, Government Relations and Policy Lead, Ontario Jill Kennedy, Director, Government Affairs and Market Access (Canada) Matthew Bureau, Director, Government Affairs, Ontario and Western Canada
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| 5:00- 6:00 pm | Networking Reception
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