Forum 2026

Sponsorship Opportunities

In September 2026, Animal Health Canada Forum brought together senior leaders from government, animal agriculture, and across the animal health and welfare system to share experience, exchange knowledge, and learn from one another.

FORUM 2026 THEME: 
Turning insight into action for Canada’s animal health and welfare system

The event focused on:
  • Rising animal welfare expectations
  • Evolving Canada's biosecurity strategy
  • Emerging cybersecurity and agro-terrorism threats
  • The growing impact of misinformation and disinformation

Participants left with practical insights to support decision-making and action across Canada’s animal health and welfare system. 

Agenda                         Event Program      


DAY 1 - AFTERNOON SESSION | Tuesday, September 22, 2026
 
1:00 PM EDT Greeting and Opening Remarks
1:20 PM Forum 2026 Session One - Rising Animal Welfare Expectations
1:25 PM Keynote: Managing Change in Animal Welfare: Trade-offs, Timelines, and Courage
Dr. Nina von Keyserlingk, University of British Columbia
2:25 PM From Policy to Practice: Global Strategies for Improving Farm Animal Welfare
Robert Hoste, Wageningen Economic Research
3:20 PM Break
3:50 PM Influencing On-Farm Change
Dr. Claire Windeyer, ACER Consulting Ltd.
4:25 PM Panel Discussion: Big Picture View of Farm Animal Welfare Drivers, Influences, and Direction
Moderator: Katerina Kolemishevska, Canadian Pork Council
Panelists:
5:35 PM Closing Remarks
5:45 - 8:00 PM Animal Health Canada Awards Ceremony - Wine & Cheese
   
DAY 2 - MORNING SESSIONS | Wednesday, September 23, 2026
 
7:30 AM EDT Breakfast
8:15 AM Opening Remarks
8:25 AM Forum 2026 Session Two - Evolving Canada’s Biosecurity Strategy
8:30 AM Keynote: Building National Alignment for Biosecurity
Dr. Beth Cookson, Chief Veterinary Officer of Australia
9:05 AM Turning National Biosecurity Priorities into Action
Dr. Samantha Allan, Animal Health Australia
10:05 AM Break
10:35 AM Forum 2026 Session Three - Cybersecurity and Agro-Terrorism
10:40 AM Understanding Cybersecurity
Whitney Bowman-Zatzkin, BIO-ISAC
11:40 AM Biothreat Reduction and Preparedness
Trevor Smith, Global Affairs Canada
12:25 PM Lunch
   
DAY 2 - AFTERNOON SESSION | Wednesday, September 23, 2026
 
1:25 PM EDT Forum 2026 Session Four - The Growing Impact of Misinformation and Disinformation
1:35 PM Knowledge Crisis: How Did We Get Here and What Can We Do?
Timothy Caulfield, University of Alberta
2:35 PM New Vulnerability in Animal Health? Effects of the Information Ecosystem on Diseases, Economics, and Policy
Dr. Guillaume Lhermie, University of Calgary
3:20 PM Break
3:50 PM Misinformation Panel Discussion: Rebuilding Trust
Moderator: André Picard, The Globe and Mail
Panelists:
4:40 PM Interactive Discussion: Identifying and Using Tools for Misinformation
Facilitator: Ashley Bruner, Canadian Centre for Food Integrity
5:30 PM Closing Remarks

 

The full program has been approved for 8.25 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) approval.