What is distinctions-based health impact assessment

This webinar is hosted by the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health. 

# Webinar description

Health impact assessment (HIA) provides a systematic process to identify and analyze the potential effects of a proposed development project on the health and well-being of a population. For Indigenous Peoples in Canada, standardized HIAs are not able to adequately measure potential health impacts as these processes do not consider the full range of cultural, social, spiritual and economic determinants of Indigenous well-being. Instead, distinctions-based HIA approaches are required that begin from place-based, community-specific and holistic environmental health frameworks. In this webinar, join Drs. Diana Lewis and Elana Nightingale for a discussion of distinctions-based health impact assessment: what it is, what it could look like in Canada, and how it could transform HIA into a process that reflects Indigenous Peoples’ diverse worldviews, knowledge systems and values. Drawing on more than a decade of Indigenous community-led health research experience, the presenters discuss what it means to meaningfully collaborate with Indigenous communities and develop impact assessment processes grounded in distinctions-based models of well-being.

# Learning objectives

  • Identify distinctions-based models of health and well-being and how they differ from mainstream health models.
  • Understand the implications of Indigenous community-specific models of health and well-being for HIA processes in Canada.

# Presenters

Dr. Diana Lewis is a member of Sipekne’katik First Nation and Associate Professor/ Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Indigenous Environmental Health Governance in the Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics, University of Guelph. She is also Director of the IndigenERA Lab and a Member of the Royal Society of Canada (2025). Her research focuses on promoting understanding of Indigenous worldviews in environmental decision-making and advocating for Indigenous-led approaches to give communities baseline health data and sovereignty over the data in environmental decision-making. She is currently working with Indigenous communities across Canada to develop an Indigenous-led environmental health risk assessment approach.

 Dr. Elana Nightingale is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the IndigenERA Lab at the University of Guelph where she works on Indigenous economic impact assessment. She holds a PhD in Geography from Western University, a MSc in Local Economic Development from the London School of Economics, and a BA in Economics from Carleton University. Elana aims to support community-led research as a means to advance health and social equity for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in Canada. Her research interests include the social determinants of Indigenous health, community economic development, community-based research methodologies and knowledge translation.

Details
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 - 14:00
2:00-3:30 pm
Cost: 
Free
Internal/External: 
Event Type: 
Location
Online (Zoom)

Manager, Integrated Care & Services

Posting Date: 
Tuesday, March 24, 2026

# Summary

Job Title

Manager, Integrated Care & Services

 

Employment Type (Full-Time etc.) Full-Time Contract
Total Hours of work per week 35
Compensation Amount / Range $88,600 - $106,300 per year (with 4% vacation pay)
Existing Vacancy  ☒Yes ☐ No
Is Artificial Intelligence used for screening or assessment of candidates ☐Yes ☒ No

# About the Organization

Heath Access Thorncliffe Park (HATP) is committed to providing coordinated Health & Wellness services to the Thorncliffe Park community. It is a community driven initiative aimed to enhance interdisciplinary comprehensive primary health care, improve access to health, social and community services in Thorncliffe Park. HATP is an innovative partnership between Flemingdon Health Centre (FHC) and TNO-The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO) funded by the Ontario Health- Toronto region. This position is focused primarily on serving with FHC.   

FHC is a registered charity and an incorporated not-for-profit Community Health Centre (CHC), with a vision of Strong Health Communities. FHC provides a range of health-related services based on the social determinants of health with extensive community engagement. At FHC, we know that health is about much more than just the absence of disease. Our approach to community health encompasses the social determinants of health which includes education, employment, isolation, food security and social supports, and utilizes a community development model to promote health, prevent disease, and strengthen community capacity. We value health equity, inclusion, community engagement, accountability & transparency, excellence and collaboration & partnerships.

# About the Position

This role provides strategic and operational leadership to clinical services, ensuring high-quality, interdisciplinary primary health care and positive community outcomes. It oversees team performance, service delivery, and resource management, while supporting recruitment and staff development. The position drives quality improvement, monitors performance against organizational and funder targets, and supports strategic planning. It also promotes collaboration with internal and external partners, advocates for equitable access to care, and contributes to client-centered service design and continuous improvement. This position reports to the Director, Community Health at FHC.  

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

  • Support the development, implementation and monitoring of HATP’s strategic goals and operational  plans 
  • Provide leadership and support of a strong interdisciplinary team, which includes Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Social Workers, students and volunteers
  • Conduct HR activities related to the recruitment, supervision and retention of team members
  • Ensure teams meet accountability measures and associate quality indicators and goals through QIP
  • Manage the coordination of service delivery and interdisciplinary care within context of the Community  Health Centre model of health and well‐being
  • Ensure accessibility for non-insured individuals and HATP’s priority populations, and advocate on behalf of these groups towards inclusive and equitable treatment and services
  • Collaborate with FHC and TNO management team to monitor/communicate funder set service targets,  provide analysis of data and lead quality improvement initiatives as necessary
  • Manage the effective and responsible use of financial resources available for clinical services. 
  • Work with various stakeholders from HATP, FHC and TNO in support of creating an organizational culture of collaboration and innovation
  • Design or assist in the design and execution of various people related projects
  • Maintain a connection with peers at FHC and TNO to assist with and promote connections and coordination and to address specific issues
  • Initiate and/or participate in community-based research; analyze data, from this and other research, to  identify trends related to population health. 
  • Seek insight into client-centered care needs and work with the clinical team to develop solutions/service delivery that provide exceptional care. 
  • Act as a resource for the development of health communication internally and externally. 
  • Facilitate the development and maintenance of strong collaborative working relationships with the community we serve as well as existing and potential partner agencies/service providers. 
  • Organize and facilitate groups and meetings, creating an environment and atmosphere for effective and thoughtful discussion of issues. 
  • Participating in project and planning committees as required
  • Other duties as assigned by Director, Community Health or designate
  • This position maintains a dotted‑line reporting relationship to Medical Director for matters related to  clinical integration, system‑level alignment, and strategic planning

# Your Qualifications

  • Two to four years of strong management experience within Community-based health organization(s),  Public health, or other health sector organizations. 
  • Degree from a recognized university with a health sciences or community health related discipline (e.g.  public health, Social Work, Registered Nurse) or combination of education with relevant experience.
  • Experience in managing and implementing “Quality Improvement” strategies and processes in a Health  sector services setting 
  • Self-motivated with the ability to shift priorities with ease and resiliency 
  • Demonstrated professionalism with ability to make sound judgment
  • Demonstrated competency in program planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation
  • Experience in community development/engagement would be an asset.
  • Experience working with funding bodies, contributing to proposals and reporting
  • Experience leading a multi-disciplinary and diverse team and facilitating effective team planning
  • Demonstrated analytical and organizational skills
  • Commitment to providing leadership in reducing barriers to health care experienced by marginalized  communities 
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and ability to build relationships at all levels of the  organization 
  • Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression
  • Knowledge of communities in FHC’s catchment area as well as knowledge of the community health center approach and model are assets
  • Excellent spelling, grammar and written communications in English 
  • Proficiency in computer hardware and software applications particularly EMRs 
  • Ability to speak languages other than English an asset
Application Deadline: 
Sunday, May 31, 2026
How to apply: 

Deadline for Application: Open until filled. Expected Start Date: April/May 2026

Application Process: Please submit your cover letter and resume in a single document through this link: 

Click Here  

HATP – Health Access Thorncliffe Park is committed to employment equity initiatives. We encourage residents of Thorncliffe Park, Flemingdon Park, and surrounding communities, and people who are racialized, Indigenous, people from the 2SLGBTQI+ community, people with disabilities and other equity-seeking groups to apply. Please note that FHC/HATP does not use Artificial Intelligence in their recruitment process. If you believe any job posting is fraudulent, please call our office: Flemingdon Health Centre at 10 Gateway Boulevard in Toronto.

Building a Newcomer Health Plan in Ontario - the time is right

This learning event is hosted by Access Alliance Newcomer and Community Health, an Alliance-member CHC. 

It is time to design, validate, and evaluate an equity-focused Newcomer Health Plan (NHP) in Ontario. Join us for a community conversation to reimagine Ontario's health system for immigrants and refugees.

We envision a co-designed Newcomer Health Plan that will involve policy and program interventions, workforce (i.e. better inclusion of Internationally Educated Health Professionals) and service delivery models, and governance frameworks. It will strengthen prevention, health promotion, equity-focused outreach, and system navigation through improved access, cultural safety, accessible language, including translation, and coordinated pathways linking newcomers to health services and health-adjacent social supports. The plan will integrate trauma-informed, culturally tailored strategies and address governance and workforce barriers.

If we are successful, future newcomers arriving in Ontario will no longer face persistent barriers to healthcare access, such as language exclusion, fragmented navigation, limited culturally safe services, racism, and systemic discrimination. They will discover a welcoming and inclusive health system, built with them in mind.

# Who should attend:

You should attend if you work at the intersection of health, settlement, equity, and inclusion. This is a working session. You will be participating in active discussions to help shape ideas and discuss how best to co-create a Newcomer Health Plan with health, settlement, community, and newcomers themselves.  The goal is to embed the NHP into Ontario’s health system. System transformation; not new research, or a new program. What role might you or your organization play in moving this forward? What do you need to be able to contribute?

Find out more about our ideas and the full session agenda at https://accessalliance.ca/research-blog/a-newcomer-health-plan-for-ontario-the-time-is-right/#NHPevent and join us on April 29th!

Details
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 - 09:30
09:30 am - 12 pm
Cost: 
Free
Internal/External: 
Event Type: 
Location
Online (Zoom)

Big F***ing Deal: Compounding Effects of Stigma for People Living with HIV

This video call is hosted by the Dr. Peter Centre. It is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. 

This session will feature a presentation from Casey House as they share their new short film, Big F***ing Deal. Produced as a part of their Smash Stigma campaign, this short demonstrates how stigma intensifies and outcomes diverge when an HIV diagnosis intersects with challenges such as housing insecurity, substance use dependency, mental health challenges, and discrimination tied to identity. During the session, Casey House will discuss their Smash Stigma campaign and detail the intentions, production, and reception of their new short.

This video call will be conducted in English, with simultaneous French translation provided. 

Featured speaker: Lisa McDonald, Director, Communications and Public Policy, Casey House. 

# Why Join?

  • Gain insight into how healthcare organizations are addressing stigma to improve health outcomes for their clients.
  • Explore practical lessons in confronting socially constructed barriers to equitable health outcomes for people living with HIV from a communications perspective.
  • Reflect on the effects of being judged, misunderstood, or unsupported for clients seeking care for complex health issues, including HIV.
  • Engage in shared learning with peers navigating similar system-level challenges

 

 

Details
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 - 14:00
2:00-3:00 pm
Cost: 
Free
Internal/External: 
Event Type: 
Location
Online (Zoom)

What Happens When Care Gets Cut Off? A conversation on ethics, accountability, and the real impacts of policy decisions.

This webinar is presented by the Substance Use Health Network (SUHN) as part of their Research Spotlight series.

# MySafe Final Evaluation Report: Impacts of Program Closure

Join us for a critical and timely conversation on the independent evaluation of the MySafe biometric medication dispensing program - and what its closure reveals about the current direction of drug policy in Canada.

At its core, this is not just a story about one program. It raises urgent questions about what it means to pilot high-impact interventions for populations at extreme risk - and then withdraw them without continuity, safeguards, or accountability. As harm reduction services are scaled back or shut down across jurisdictions, the findings point to a growing gap between evidence, ethics, and policy.

# In this webinar, we will:

  • Share key findings from the evaluation

  • Examine the real-world impacts of program withdrawal on people’s lives

  • Situate MySafe within a broader landscape of shifting drug policy and restricted access to prescribed alternatives

  • Interrogate the ethical implications of short-term pilots without continuity-of-care protections

  • Discuss what accountability, responsibility, and evidence-informed policy should look like moving forward

For healthcare and social service providers, researchers, policy-makers, and people with lived and living experience, this session offers space to grapple with a difficult but necessary question: what do we owe people when we introduce - and then remove - interventions that shape their survival?

# About MySafe

MySafe was a low-barrier, person-centred model that provided secure, flexible access to prescribed alternatives through biometric dispensing machines, paired with wraparound supports. Participants described improved stability, autonomy, and engagement in care. In 2024, the program was abruptly defunded amid shifting political and regulatory pressures on prescribed alternatives, leaving many people without safe, reliable access to care.

This evaluation, based on in-depth interviews with former clients and service providers, documents not only what worked but what happened when it was taken away. Participants describe rapid destabilization, loss of autonomy, and forced transitions into more restrictive or inaccessible systems of care. These are not abstract policy shifts; they are decisions with immediate, material consequences for people’s health, safety, and survival.

# Speakers

  • Tara Taylor, SpenceCreo Founation

  • Isabelle Boisvert, Changemark

  • Kaitlin Calligiari, Changemark  

Details
Thursday, March 26, 2026 - 12:00
12-1 pm
Cost: 
Free
Internal/External: 
Location

Physician Assistant

Posting Date: 
Tuesday, March 24, 2026

# Summary

Job Title Physician Assistant
Employment Type (Full-Time etc.) Full-Time Contract
Total Hours of work per week 35
Compensation Amount / Range $99,256 - $118,338 per year, plus benefits and HOOPP pension plan
Existing Vacancy  ☐Yes ☒ No
Is Artificial Intelligence used for screening or assessment of candidates ☐Yes ☒ No

# About the Organization

Heath Access Thorncliffe Park (HATP) is committed to providing coordinated Health & Wellness services to the Thorncliffe Park community. It is a community driven initiative aimed to enhance interdisciplinary comprehensive primary health care, improve access to health, social and community services in Thorncliffe Park. HATP is an innovative partnership between Flemingdon Health Centre (FHC) and TNO-The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO) funded by the Ontario Health- Toronto region. This position is focused primarily on serving with FHC. 

FHC is a registered charity and an incorporated not-for-profit Community Health Centre (CHC), with a vision of Strong Health Communities. FHC provides a range of health-related services based on the social determinants of health with extensive community engagement. At FHC, we know that health is about much more than just the absence of disease. Our approach to community health encompasses the social determinants of health which includes education, employment, isolation, food security and social supports, and utilizes a community development model to promote health, prevent disease, and strengthen community capacity. We value health equity, inclusion, community engagement, accountability & transparency, excellence and collaboration & partnerships. 

About the Access Clinic: As part of our commitment to equitable and timely access to care, the Access Clinic provides short-term, team-based primary care services to individuals who are unattached or experiencing barriers to accessing care. Operating within an interprofessional model, the clinic offers solution-focused care while supporting clients to connect with a permanent primary care provider. The Access Clinic serves a diverse population, including newcomers, people experiencing homelessness or housing instability, and those with complex health and social needs.

# About the Position

The Physician Assistant (PA) plays a critical role in patient care, working under the supervision of a licensed physician to provide comprehensive medical services. The PA is responsible for managing acute and chronic illnesses, promoting wellness, coordinating care, and performing diagnostic and treatment procedures. This role supports a collaborative team approach to healthcare, ensuring high-quality care delivery across various patient populations. Alongside comprehensive primary care, the PA will also be supporting the Access Clinic which provides short-term, team-based primary care services to individuals who are unattached or experiencing barriers to accessing care. The Access Clinic serves a diverse population, including newcomers, people experiencing homelessness or housing instability, and those with complex health and social needs. 

Main Tasks and Responsibilities 

Patient Care 

  • Conduct patient interviews, take medical histories, and perform physical assessments.
  • Diagnose, treat, and manage acute and chronic conditions.
  • Formulate and implement treatment plans, monitoring patient progress and adjusting as needed.
  • Prescribe medications (excluding controlled and narcotic substances) per medical directives.
  • Provide education on disease prevention, health maintenance, and wellness.
  • Manage and counsel patients on specialized therapies, such as diabetes or endocrine management. 

Diagnostics and Procedures

  • Order and interpret diagnostic tests.
  • Execute care plans in consultation with supervising physicians and allied healthcare teams.

Research and Education

  • Participate in clinical research as a Sub-Investigator or coordinator.
  • Collect and analyze data to contribute to ongoing studies.
  • Engage in educational activities and professional development to enhance skills and knowledge.
  • Contribute to policy and clinical pathway development

Collaboration and Administration

  • Work closely with physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals to ensure coordinated care.
  • Participate in quality improvement initiatives and administrative responsibilities.
  • Maintain accurate documentation and comply with organizational policies.

# Your Qualifications

  • Graduate of a recognized Physician Assistant program.
  • Certified or eligible for certification by the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC) or the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
  • Current membership in good standing with the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA) and College of Physicians (Assistants) and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).
  • Current BLS certification.
  • 2-3 years of experience in primary care or community nursing will be an asset.
  • Demonstrated clinical competence in patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients and healthcare teams.
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities in high-pressure situations.
  • Commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression practices
  • Technological proficiency, including EMR - PS Suite, and basic computer skills.
  • Flexible, self-directed, and organized.
  • Commitment to continuing education and professional development.
  • Adherence to workplace safety and psychological health standards.
  • Non-judgmental/non-confrontational attitude.
Application Deadline: 
Sunday, May 31, 2026
How to apply: 

Application Process: Please submit your cover letter and resume online. 

Deadline for Application: Open until filled. Expected Start Date: April/May 2026

Click Here 

HATP – Health Access Thorncliffe Park is committed to employment equity initiatives. We encourage residents of Thorncliffe Park, Flemingdon Park, and surrounding communities, and people who are racialized, Indigenous, people from the 2SLGBTQI+ community, people with disabilities and other equity-seeking groups to apply. Please note that FHC/HATP does not use Artificial Intelligence in their recruitment process. If you believe any job posting is fraudulent, please call our office: Flemingdon Health Centre at 10 Gateway Boulevard in Toronto.

 Menopause Quality Standard Community of Practice Learning Session

This learning session is hosted by Ontario Health as an activity of their Menopause Quality Standard Community of Practice 

Ontario Health's Menopause Quality Standard focuses on the identification, assessment, and management of symptoms at any stage of menopause and in all health care settings for people living in Ontario. Released in October 2025, it is Canada's first-ever quality standard dedicated to menopause care. The Community of Practice (CoP) was established to support it implementation in all settings, with a particular focus on primary care. 

At this interactive session, clinicians and health care teams will:   

  • Hear from fellow clinicians about what they are doing – and learning – as they improve menopause care in clinical practice. 
  • Learn about the Academic Detailing service from the Centre for Effective Practice. 
  • Get updates on the Community of Practice and plans for future learning sessions and supports.

This session is open to all clinicians and healthcare teams.

Note: Registering for this session will also grant you access to the learning session in June 2026.  While CoP membership is not required to attend, joining the CoP is encouraged for those who want to stay connected and continue learning.

 Dr. Lara Rosenberg and Nureen Ladha from the North York Family Health Team will share how their team is working to improve menopause care in their organization. 

  • Dr. Rosenberg is the Medical Director at the North York Family Health Team, where she practices comprehensive family medicine. She also serves as the Program Director for the Low-Risk Obstetrical PGY3 Program at the University of Toronto. 
  • Nureen Ladha is an RN and CEO/Executive Director at the North York Family Health Team. 

Silvana Ferrara from the Centre for Effective Practice will introduce the Academic Detailing service and how it supports clinicians with practical, one-on-one learning.  

  • Silvana Ferrara is a pharmacist with 25+ years of experience in community and long-term care. Since 2018, she has been an academic detailer with the Centre for Effective Practice, delivering one-on-one educational visits for primary care clinicians. She holds a pharmacy degree from the University of Toronto. 

 

 

 

 

 

Details
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 - 12:00
12-1 pm
Cost: 
Free
Internal/External: 
Event Type: 
Location
Online (Zoom)

Audit & Feedback (A&F) and Antibiotics.

This webinar is presented by the Audit & Feedback MetaLab at Women's College Hospital  This session is the second of an ongoing webinar series designed to bring together researchers and health system partners to review evidence, share real-world Canadian examples, and collaboratively identify future research and implementation priorities.

# Webinar Overview

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an urgent and growing health threat, fueled in part by the overuse and inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics. Audit and feedback approaches, particularly those that include peer comparison, have been shown to improve prescribing practices among clinicians. Ensuring these approaches are designed and implemented with equity in mind is important for supporting appropriate antibiotic use across diverse health care settings.

In this interactive, 60-minute webinar, Dr. Noah Ivers will open with key findings from his audit and feedback Cochrane review. Dr. Kevin Schwartz will then discuss the evidence base for antibiotic prescribing feedback and highlight the CANBuild-AMR project, which aims to scale and optimize audit and feedback programs across Canada to improve antibiotic use. Jonathan Lam will provide a brief overview of Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) and lead a facilitated discussion exploring opportunities to spread and scale effective audit and feedback initiatives, equity considerations in implementation, and future directions for research and practice.

 

Details
Friday, March 27, 2026 - 12:00
12-1 pm
Cost: 
Free
Internal/External: 
Event Type: 
Location
Online

Public Health & Collaborative Governance in Extreme Heat Response

This webinar is presented by the Dala Lana School of Public Health in partnership with the Collaborative Centre for Climate, Health &  Sustainable Care and the North American Observatory on Health Systems and Policies

# Description

This presentation will share results from a CIHR-funded project exploring the governance of heat responses in Canada, with two parts: first, a scoping review of the academic and grey literature to characterize the roles of public health authorities in climate action, with a focus on extreme heat in three provinces (British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec); and, second, a qualitative comparative case study with interviews with key stakeholders to identify and assess governance mechanisms supporting collaborative action on extreme heat in three cities (Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal). Implications for public health authorities and their role in climate action, and broader climate resilience, will be discussed.

# Speaker

Sara Allin is an Associate Professor of Health Policy at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, and Director of the North American Observatory on Health Systems and Policies (NAO). Her research focuses on comparative health systems, health system resilience, and health equity. At the NAO, she leads research to inform evidence-based policy, including rapid reviews for decision-makers and in-depth studies of health system structures and reforms in Canada and other high-income countries.

Details
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 - 12:00
12-1 pm (virtual) or 12-2 pm (in-person)
Cost: 
Free
Internal/External: 
Event Type: 
Location

Public Health & Collaborative Governance in Extreme Heat Response

This webinar is presented by the Dala Lana School of Public Health in partnership with the Collaborative Centre for Climate, Health & Sustainable Care and the North American Observatory on Health Systems and Policies

# Description

This presentation will share results from a CIHR-funded project exploring the governance of heat responses in Canada, with two parts: first, a scoping review of the academic and grey literature to characterize the roles of public health authorities in climate action, with a focus on extreme heat in three provinces (British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec); and, second, a qualitative comparative case study with interviews with key stakeholders to identify and assess governance mechanisms supporting collaborative action on extreme heat in three cities (Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal). Implications for public health authorities and their role in climate action, and broader climate resilience, will be discussed.

# Speaker

Sara Allin is an Associate Professor of Health Policy at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, and Director of the North American Observatory on Health Systems and Policies (NAO). Her research focuses on comparative health systems, health system resilience, and health equity. At the NAO, she leads research to inform evidence-based policy, including rapid reviews for decision-makers and in-depth studies of health system structures and reforms in Canada and other high-income countries.

Details
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 - 12:00
12-1 pm (virtual) or 12-2 pm (in-person)
Cost: 
Free
Internal/External: 
Event Type: 
Location