Dr. Brian Goldman, the host of this year’s Kids Brain Health Network conference, will be welcoming Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, The Hon. Carla Qualtrough, independent Senators Hon. Rosemary Moodie, Hon. Jim Munson and The Hon. Colin Deacon, and Conservative MP, The Hon. Mike Lake to the virtual stage during the KBHN conference.

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough PC MP, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion

The Hon Minister Qualtrough is a former Paralympic Athlete, a human rights lawyer, and the 2012 recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. As an individual who was born legally blind with only 10% corrected vision, Minister Qualtrough came to the realization that public spaces were inaccessible to those with disabilities. This prompted her to think about how public systems could be remodeled to support the needs of everyone in our society. As the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Qualtrough is led the development of the Accessible Canada Act – federal legislation that she hopes will make the country “a model of accessibility and inclusion for the world.” This act received Royal Assent on June 21, 2019.

To hear Minister Qualtrough speak about her commitment to inclusion for all children and youth with disabilities, tune in on November 9, 2020 at 10:45am EST (Day 1 of the KBHN conference).

The Honourable Senator Jim Munson

The Hon. Sen. Jim Munson is a member of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, a passionate advocate for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities. His advocacy has led to an Act respecting World Autism Awareness Day and the report Pay Now or Pay Later: Autism Families in Crisis. In February 2019, Munson wrote about how addressing autism requires extraordinary collaboration and policy innovation:

“When a group of Canadians experience an 80% unemployment rate such as adults with autism, that group deserves to get attention and action. When a group of autistic Canadians experiencing a 50% rate of mental health challenges, that group deserves to get attention and action. When Indigenous communities identify that their participation in ASD related services is blocked by systemic racism and social isolation, autistic Canadians deserve our attention and action.”

To hear Hon. Munson speak, tune in on November 9, 2020 at 10:45am EST (Day 1 of the KBHN conference).

The Honourable Rosemary Moodie, Senate of Canada

The Hon. Rosemary Moodie is an independent Senator who passionate about medicine and working with people. Her work revolves around improving the quality of health care delivery across Canada. She has worked with stakeholders in policy development and advocacy to improve health equity and expand quality health care access to the most vulnerable, underserved and marginalized populations especially women and children. Her work has brought attention to the reality that those who are living below the poverty line face several day-to-day challenges such as lacking clean drinking, paying for nutritious food, affording educational costs, and finding housing. Further, Senator Moodie is an Accreditation Canada hospital surveyor with extensive experience improving the quality of health care delivery across Canada and worldwide.

Participants of the KBHN Conference will be graced with the presence of the Hon. Rosemary Moodie on November 10, 2020 at 11:00am (Day 2 of the KBHN conference).

The Honourable Colin Deacon, Senate of Canada

The Hon. Colin Deacon is an independent Senator who previously held the position of board member and Vice Chair of the Kids Brain Health Network. He also served on the board of the Halifax Assistance Fund, which helps those in need in his community. With a strong background in entrepreneurship, the Honourable Colin Deacon is known for running successful businesses such as Blue Light Analytics and SpellRead. Although these companies serve significantly different purposes, they share a common theme: both companies strive to improve the lives of Canadians. As an Independent Senator, Sen. Deacon aims to continue his focus on knowledge mobilization and data-driven decision-making to strengthen Canada’s ability to complete in our digital world.

Participants who wish to hear the Hon. Colin Deacon provide opening can see him live on November 12, 2020 at 11:00am (Day 3 of the KBHN conference).

The Honourable Mike Lake, P.C., M.P.

The Hon. Mike Lake is the Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Wetaskiwin, the Shadow Minister for International Development and a parent of a son with autism. He is dedicated to increasing awareness and research about autism. During his maiden speech in the House of Commons on April 24, 2006, Lake spoke about his own experience of seeking diagnosis and treatment for his son, Jayden.

“I would like those parents to know that I have been where they are. I have experienced the same emotions that they are experiencing right now: the intense love that a parent has for his or her child; the fear that accompanies the discovery that there is something different about the way the child is developing; the hope of finding out that there is a treatment that is helping other children with similar challenges; and the utter frustration and disappointment as time ticks away while the child waits for that treatment.”

Join us on November 13, 2020 at 11:00am (Day 4 of the KBHN conference) to hear the Hon. Mike Lake give welcoming remarks as the conference focuses on health policy issues.

Written by Inoka Jayaweera