New Horizons
in Safety Summit
2026
2026 Program
Building on Momentum
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- May 7, 2026 (8:30-4:30)
- Hilton Markham Suites, Ontario
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Voices shaping Ontario’s prevention system
Connect with the voices turning research, policy, and innovation into practical solutions that improve safety outcomes for workers and workplaces.
Premier Doug Ford
Ontario Premier
(Invited)
Hon. David Piccini
Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
Dr. Joel Moody
Ontario Chief Prevention Officer and Asst. Deputy Minister - Ministry of Labor Immigration Training and Skills Development
Rodney Cook
Vice President of Workplace Health and Safety Services at WSIB
Dr. Chris McLeod
Associate Professor and Director of the Partnership for Work, Health and Safety at the University of British Columbia
Dr. Arif Jetha
Associate Scientific Director & Scientist at the Institute for Work & Health
Janet Mannella
Vice President, Operations at the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Jules Arntz-Gray
Assistant Deputy Minister - Fair, Safe and Healthy Workplaces Division at Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
Jonathan Hack
Dean, Centennial Innovates (Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship) at Centennial College
Dr. Jack P. Callaghan
Director of the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD)
Dr. Steven Fischer
Associate Professor, Associate Chair of Applied Research, Partnerships and Outreach, Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, University of Waterloo
Julie Thurlow
Vice President, Specialized Claims and Recovery Services at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
Michael G. Sherrard
Partner at Sherrard Kuzz LLP
Steven Crombie
Senior Director Public Affairs at ORBA
Sabesh Kanagaretnam
President & CEO at 4S Consulting
Sobi Ragunathan
VP of Operations, Strategy & Partnerships at 4S Consulting
Ron Kelusky
Former Chief Prevention Officer and Sr. Advisor at 4S Consulting
+ Additional Industry Leaders
Come and join leaders, innovators, and experts behind the ideas shaping safer, healthier workplaces today and in the future.
Morning Program
Breakfast & networking
Start the day with a light breakfast while connecting with fellow attendees and setting the tone for meaningful conversations ahead.
Opening
Address
Government Leadership Remarks on Workplace Safety
Premier Doug Ford (Invited)
Minister, MLITSD (Invited)
Mayor Frank Scarpitti (Invited)
Logan Kanapathi (Invited)
Session Partners
Government of Ontario & The City of Markham
Plenary
Session 1
Hype, Hope, and Hazards: What Does the Evidence Tell us About the Role of AI in OHS?
Followed by a roundtable with Dr. Peter Smith, Sabesh Kanagaretnam, and AI industry leaders
Session Partners
4S Consulting
Panel
Discussion
Bill 30 – Working for Workers Act 7: Impact and Opportunities
Session Partners
MLITSD
Coffee
Break 1
Coffee Break & Networking
SPONSORED BY
Plenary
Introduction
Introduction to WSIB Excellence Program Evaluation
Session Partners
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
Plenary
Session 2
Is the Health and Safety Excellence Program Associated with Improved Workplace Health and Safety in Ontario?
Followed by a roundtable with Rod Cook (WSIB), Sobi Ragunathan, and other Industry Leaders
Session Partners
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board & 4S Consulting
Awards
Presentation
4S Consulting Safety Recognition Awards
Session Partners
4S Consulting
LUNCH & NETWORKING
Take a break to connect with peers, speakers, and industry leaders while continuing conversations that drive safer workplaces forward.
RESEARCH GALLERY & Exhibitor area
Explore applied research, innovative solutions, and industry-leading tools designed to turn safety knowledge into real-world workplace impact.
Afternoon Program
early afternoon Breakout Sessions
Helping Ontario Businesses Navigate Health & Safety Through the WSIB-Sponsored CCOHS Business Safety Portal.
Presented by
Janet Mannella (VP Operations, CCOHS) & a representative from WSIB
Session Partner
WSIB & CCOHS
Overview:
•The CCOHS Business Safety Portal and how it supports businesses meet applicable with health and safety legislation
•Key tools and resources that help businesses make informed decisions
•A live demonstration of portal features and practical applications
Designing the Bus of the Future: Innovation for Operator Health
Presented by
Jonathon Hack, Centennial College Innovation Hub, Toronto Transit Commission, Amalgamated Transit Union
Session Partner
Centennial College, TTC, and ATU
Overview:
•Key health and safety risks facing transit operators, including MSDs, fatigue, and workplace violence
•How the Transit Innovation Hub tests new technologies before deployment
•Emerging solutions such as barrier systems, camera monitor systems, and ergonomic improvements
•How operator insight, academic research, and engineering expertise shape safer bus design
•Why operator safety is essential to public safety and system performance
Advancing MSD Prevention in Workplace Systems: From Evidence to Sustainable Outcomes
Presented by
Dr. Jack Callaghan and Research Team
Session Partner
University of Waterloo – CRE-MSD
Overview:
•Why MSDs Remain One of Ontario’s Most Common Workplace Injuries
•How Leadership, Systems, and Worker Engagement Support Prevention
•Practical Tools from the MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario
•Real-World Examples of Successful Ergonomics Programs
•How Technology and AI May Strengthen MSD Prevention
•How Workplaces Can Move from Reacting to Injuries to Preventing Them
late afternoon Breakout Sessions
Advancing Health, Safety and Wellness through Research and Innovation
Presented by
Dr. Amin Yazdani
Session Partner
Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance
Overview:
•CISWP’s partnership with Ontario’s WSIB to reduce workplace injuries through better data
•An overview of the DOSE, Safe WorkSITE, and MOSAIC initiative
•How real‑world exposure and anthropometric data support safer, more inclusive workplace design
•A case example from CISWP’s work with Ontario paramedic services and how paramedic fatigue research informed a machine‑learning tool to support decision‑making and worker health and safety
WSIB Mental Stress Injury Strategy
Presented by
Julie Thurlow
Session Partner
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
Overview:
•How mental health injuries are creating more complex and less predictable recovery journeys
•How WSIB’s Mental Health Strategy is responding with more coordinated, evidence-informed approaches
•The growing focus on recovery and return to work through integrated case management and innovative health-care models
•Current initiatives, emerging practices, and lessons learned in managing mental health claims
•The supports available to Ontario employers and workers
Safety Compliance and Technology Solutions
Presented by
Michael Sherrard (Sherrard Kuzz LLP) & Sabesh Kanagaretnam (4S Consulting)
Session Partner
Sherrard Kuzz LLP
Overview:
Session Overview Coming Soon
Closing Remarks
A brief wrap-up highlighting key takeaways and next steps for advancing workplace safety beyond the event.
VIP Reception
An exclusive opportunity for speakers, sponsors, and invited guests to connect, unwind, and continue high-impact conversations in a more intimate setting.
- May 7, 2026
- Hilton Markham Suites, Ontario
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Designed for decision-makers, not spectators
The 2026 program is intentionally designed to deliver relevance, visibility, and real-world impact for sponsors and attendees alike:
- 2 Plenary Sessions: positioning Ontario’s prevention outcomes challenge within current regulatory and employer realities
- Panel Discussions: bringing together research leaders, policymakers, and employers to explore implementation pathways, including Bill 30, COR, and ISO frameworks
- 6 Breakout Sessions: focused on adoption, system alignment, and overcoming barriers to putting evidence into practice
- Research Gallery: creating dialogues that surface emerging evidence through interactive discussion, not traditional lectures
- Networking Opportunities: breakfast, lunch, coffee breaks and a VIP reception to connect decision-makers across public, private, & academic sectors
Program and speaker announcements begin February 2026.