Participants of the upcoming Healthy Communities Conference will explore ways to build a ‘culture of wellness’ in Grey-Bruce.

The two-day conference, set for April 27 and 28, 2026, in Owen Sound, will feature a keynote address, panel discussions, and breakout sessions – all aimed at enhancing community health and wellness, equity, and inclusion.

“Our goal is to create space and an opportunity for open discussions about community health and well-being. Building healthier communities means being honest about what isn’t working, sharing what does, and co-ordinating across systems, so people aren’t left navigating gaps on their own,” says Jason Weppler, co-chair of the Grey Bruce Healthy Communities Partnership and a Program Manager at Grey Bruce Public Health.

The Healthy Communities Conference, organized by the Grey Bruce Healthy Communities Partnership, is set to run from 6 to 8:45 p.m. on April 27 at The Sydenham Campus. It will continue April 28, with a full agenda of activities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.

The evening schedule includes a panel discussion on innovative approaches to health and wellness, and the future of healthcare, as well as concurrent tours of The Sydenham Campus or Georgian College’s Owen Sound campus.

The second day of the conference will include a keynote address by Dr. Elisa Levi, a family physician and dietitian who has recently established a place-based, Indigenous-led primary care and healing space at Neyaashiinigmiing.

Participants will also be able to attend three concurrent sessions throughout the day, with topics ranging from designing age-friendly communities across the lifespan to improving equitable access to palliative care and models of Indigenous-led care.

The conference will also include a panel discussion on designing systems that reflect rural realities and housing, homelessness, and health, as well as a rural innovation activity, facilitated by Georgian College’s Department of Social Innovation.

Tickets are $30 plus HST for Day 1 of the conference and $70 plus HST for Day 2. Day 2 will include a hot lunch and refreshments.

Registration is open until midnight on April 20, 2026.

The event planning committee has taken steps to ensure the conference is accessible to all.

Individuals and organizations who register can buy additional tickets, which will be donated to community members who would like to participate in the conference, but find the cost to be a barrier.

In addition, registrants under 30 years of age can attend the conference free of charge thanks to a sponsorship from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grey, Bruce, and West Simcoe.

To register for the conference or for more information, including detailed agendas, speaker biographies, and a list of sponsors, please visit the Healthy Communities Conference webpage.