Agenda

What will Canadians need from their healthcare system in 2035?
Demographic shifts, climate change, technological innovation, workforce transformation, and economic uncertainty are fundamentally reshaping Canada’s health and risk landscape. These powerful and interconnected forces are creating new challenges – from an aging population and growing mental health needs to rising rates of chronic disease – affecting individuals, communities, employers, and the broader economy.
As pressures mount, the sustainability and effectiveness of both public and private health systems are being tested. At the same time, these challenges present unprecedented opportunities to reimagine how care is delivered, accessed, and financed.
Join us for a forward-looking discussion exploring the macro trends that will define the future of health in Canada. Together, we’ll examine the risks, opportunities, and innovations that can help build a more resilient, sustainable, and responsive health ecosystem – one that is better equipped to meet the evolving needs of Canadians in the decade ahead.

Transforming complex systems requires vision, persistence, and the ability to bring diverse stakeholders along on the journey. This session explores real-world examples of healthcare innovation that moved from bold ideas to meaningful, lasting change. From expanding the role of pharmacists in Canada (including training, regulatory reform, provincial adoption, and public acceptance of pharmacy-based vaccinations) to building a scalable digital health ecosystem, speakers will share the successes, setbacks, and lessons learned along the way. Attendees will gain insight into how organizations navigated regulatory, operational, and cultural barriers while maintaining focus on better health outcomes and improved access to care. Ultimately, this discussion will demonstrate what is possible when innovation, collaboration, and perseverance align to transform a complex system.

Canada’s health data remains fragmented across public and private systems, creating barriers that can delay care and limit better health outcomes. This session will explore how greater connectivity and data sharing can help create a more seamless healthcare experience for Canadians. Drawing on perspectives from acute care and health navigation leaders, the discussion will examine the opportunities to connect patients, providers, and systems in ways that accelerate access to care and improve outcomes. Real-world examples will demonstrate how integrated data and coordinated care pathways can reduce delays, improve patient journeys, and make better use of healthcare resources. Join us to explore what it will take to break down silos, unlock the full value of health data, and what we can achieve if we build a more connected healthcare ecosystem for the future.

Canada’s healthcare challenges cannot be solved by any one stakeholder alone. As public and private healthcare systems become increasingly interconnected, there is a growing need for shared accountability, coordinated action, and a stronger focus on prevention. This session will explore real-world examples of how organizations are bridging system gaps, connecting patients to care more efficiently, and improving health outcomes through collaboration. Panelists will discuss the role employers, healthcare providers, governments, and private sector partners can play in reducing barriers to care and investing in preventive health that benefits the entire system. Join us for a conversation on how aligning incentives, responsibilities, and resources can create a more sustainable, accessible, and effective healthcare ecosystem for all Canadians.

For many Canadians, retirement is defined by a simple goal: achieving the financial freedom to live the life they want without worrying about whether they need to keep working beyond age 65. Yet as people live longer and navigate increasing medical complexity, the connection between health, wealth, and retirement security has never been more important. This session will explore how employers, healthcare providers, insurers, and policymakers can help Canadians stay healthier for longer while better preparing for the financial realities of retirement. Panelists will discuss the growing impact of chronic disease, the unique needs of women and underserved populations, and the challenges faced by those managing health issues later in life. The conversation will focus on how we can create a future where Canadians enjoy longer lives that are not only healthier, but also financially secure.

Canada has no shortage of healthcare innovation, but turning promising ideas into scalable solutions requires greater access to capital, investment, and modernized policy frameworks. This session will explore the critical role insurers can play in financing health infrastructure, supporting innovation, and leveraging long-duration liabilities as a source of nation-building capital. Panelists will examine whether current legislative and regulatory frameworks are keeping pace with the evolving health landscape and discuss reforms needed to unlock greater investment in the sector. The conversation will also address the growing influence of private equity, changing competitive dynamics, and the impact of investment returns on affordability, growth, and innovation. Join us for a timely discussion on how Canada can strengthen its capital ecosystem, compete more effectively with global markets, and create the conditions for a thriving health innovation economy.

Canada’s health system is unique, complex, and often misunderstood, with much of the conversation focused on the public system despite significant innovation also occurring within the private sector. Insurers have been working to address health challenges in areas they can directly influence, yet they face many of the same obstacles as other innovators including fragmented regulations and difficulties launching and scaling pilot programs. This session will explore the barriers that limit the adoption of new healthcare technologies and AI-driven solutions. Panelists will discuss why Canadian health leaders often look abroad for ideas and platforms, and what must change to create a stronger domestic ecosystem that accelerates practical, outcomes-focused innovation. Join us for a candid discussion on the policy, regulatory, and market conditions required to help Canadian health innovation move beyond great ideas and deliver real impact for Canadian workers and employers.

For decades, healthcare systems have largely been designed to treat illness, yet rising chronic disease, aging populations, and escalating costs are making it clear that a better approach is needed. This closing session brings together insights from global health system data, actuarial research, and industry leadership to examine what it will take to shift from a reactive model of sick care to a proactive model of health care. Panelists will explore lessons from leading health systems around the world, the critical role of prevention and early intervention, and the opportunities to create healthier populations while improving system sustainability. The discussion will also consider how insurers, employers, healthcare providers, policymakers, and individuals can align incentives and investments around better health outcomes rather than simply funding treatment. Join us for a forward-looking conversation on the practical actions needed to build a more preventive, connected, and person-centered health system for Canadians.