Here's the full lineup of Plenary Sessions that were held at the Alliance's annual conference, Action Now! Building Equitable Futures Together.
Plenary One | Beyond Inclusion and Towards Health Equity - Advancing Health, Safety and Wellbeing for 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities
Plenary Two | Black Health and Socio-Demographic Data Collection
Plenary Three | Francophone Health
Plenary Four | Indigenous Health Intersectional Perspectives
Wednesday, June 8th
9:00 AM - 10:20 AM: Plenary One | Beyond Inclusion and Towards Health Equity - Advancing Health, Safety and Wellbeing for 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities
2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Ontario continue to face staggering health inequities, negative experiences interacting with health and social services, and exponential rates of homelessness, poverty and harassment compared to cisgender and heterosexual people. This session explored the current state of 2SLGBTQIA+ health, safety and rights, showcase promising practices from community health centres across the province, as well as innovative initiatives from queer and trans communities and community organizations. Finally, the session focused on how organizations can better integrate 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion into their work and advance 2SLGBTIA+ advocacy priorities through meaningful community engagement and relationship building.
Speakers:
- Fae Johnstone, Executive Director and Co-Owner of Wisdom2Action (W2A)
1:00 PM - 2:20 PM: Plenary Two | Black Health and Socio-Demographic Data Collection
This plenary was a panel discussion on health equity and the importance of strategically addressing the root causes of health disparities. It specifically explored the collection and use of socio-demographic or race-based data as a key step in advancing equity, especially for Black and other Racialized groups. This plenary panel featured scholars, academics, community leaders, and people with lived experience.
Speakers:
- Dr. Ameil Joseph, Holder, Faculty of Social Sciences Professorship in Equity, Identity and Transformation | Academic Director, Community Engaged Research and Relationships, Office of Community Engagement | Associate Professor, McMaster University
- Liben Gebremikael, Executive Director, TAIBU Community Health Centre, featuring excerpts from the documentary, “Working While Black”
- Sarah Jama, community organizer from Hamilton, and co-founder of the Disability Justice Network of Ontario
- Moderator: Daniel Townsend, Black Health Lead, Alliance for Healthier Communities
Thursday, June 9th
9:00 AM - 10:20 AM: Plenary Three | Francophone Health
This plenary featured a panel discussion on Championing Francophone Health Equity in Ontario. This plenary explored how to ensure health equity for Francophones by dissecting what it means to be Francophone across Ontario, dimensions of language and culture, and the intersectionalities among equity-deserving communities.
This plenary was presented in English.
Speakers:
- Jacinthe Desaulniers, CEO, Réseau des services santé en français de l’Est de l’Ontariode (Entité 5)
- Bryan Michaud, Political Analyst, Assemblée de la Francophonie de l’Ontario
- Florence Ngenzebuhoro, CEO, Centre Francophone du Grand Toronto and Alliance Board member
- Diane Quintas, CEO, Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario (Entité 6)
- Marc Bisson(modérateur), CEO, Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie and Alliance Board Secretary
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM: Plenary Four | Indigenous Health Intersectional Perspectives
This plenary featured a keynote presentation on two-spirit identity, mental health, and diversity & inclusion, Indigenous health and mental health. With a skilled moderator and host, this plenary also include a fireside chat.
Speakers:
- Teddy Syrette, Two-Spirit Advocate and Mental Health Expert