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2026 Presenters List

Current Challenges in Sport and Physical Activity Bruce Kidd will discuss today's most pressing challenges in sport and physical activity, including the public health impacts of sports betting, online gambling, and social media. He will share his vision for creating healthier sport environments and provide practical strategies for strengthening physical activity and community well-being.

KEYNOTE: Bruce Kidd

Current Challenges in Sport and Physical Activity

Order of Canada • Olympian • Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto • Author • Researcher

Internationally recognized sport leader, Olympian, educator, and researcher examining the future of sport and physical activity in Canada.

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Beyond Compliance: Reimagining Safe Sport Through Safeguarding Safe sport has become a central priority across Canadian sport, yet concerns about harm, exclusion, and trust continue to persist. While current safe sport initiatives have advanced awareness and accountability, they often remain focused on responding to individual misconduct and meeting compliance requirements. This presentation argues for a broader conceptual shift toward safeguarding sport, a preventive, systems-based, and rights-based approach that embeds athlete well-being into the design, governance, and culture of sport. Participants will be invited to consider how safeguarding can move the conversation beyond reactive measures toward meaningful and sustainable system change.

PANEL 1 PRESENTER: Dr. Joseph Gurgis

Beyond Compliance: Reimagining Safe Sport Through Safeguarding

Faculty of Health Sciences Associate Teaching Professor, Ontario Tech University

Researcher and educator specializing in safeguarding sport and athlete well-being.

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Quality Sport and PA Environments: Making All The Difference What is a quality sport or physical literacy environment? It depends! A six-year-old soccer player, an Olympian and a senior keeping active have quite different needs, right? Yet following a common set of principles - which we fail to follow disturbingly often- can keep all physical activity safer, more fun, and more rewarding for every kind of participant. Discover the principles and what they mean for your programs in this presentation.

PANEL 1 PRESENTER: Dr. Paul Jurbala

Quality Sport and Physical Activity Environments

Principal, communityactive • Sport for Life Consultant

Sport consultant, educator, and researcher with over 40 years of leadership in Canadian sport and recreation.

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Change the Game Research Report Sport in Canada has a growing body of research and policy recommendations calling for quality physical literacy and play environments to enable its most desired outcomes, yet a gap remains in the practical “how” of what this looks like in the real world. The 2025-2035 Canadian Sport Policy, for example, through its twin pillars of (mass) participation and performance, is built on an intentional series of desired outcomes that include physical health, mental wellness, social and emotional life skills, and belonging. What is the recipe of ingredients that best enable these outcomes to succeed? MLSE Foundation’s Change the Game Research project examines that question through the lens of 37,000 Ontario youth aged 6-29 who have shared their experiences and reflections about what an improved future of sport means to them, and how, despite interest remaining strong across all regions of the province, there remain enduring barriers to converting that interest into sustained participation. This presentation will break down key insights, calls to action, and practical reform examples arising from MLSE Foundation's 2026 Change the Game Research Report, and how they can inform future policies and practices that increase participation and improve sport experiences for children, youth, and young adults.

PANEL 1 PRESENTER: Bryan Heal

Change the Game Research Report

Social Impact Research Lead, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE)

Leader in sport research and community engagement with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.

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Public Health and Active Travel for Children and Youth Learn how active transportation supports physical health, mental well-being, and healthier communities while encouraging lifelong physical activity.

PANEL 2 PRESENTER: Dr. Krystn Orr

Public Health and Active Travel for Children and Youth

Physical Activity Specialist, Hamilton Public Health

Public health specialist promoting active transportation and healthy communities.

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Child Health and Climate Change Explore the relationship between climate change, children's health, and physical activity, and discuss strategies for creating healthy, active futures.

PANEL 2 PRESENTER: Dr. Brian Timmons

Child Health and Climate Change

Canada Research Chair in Child Health & Exercise Medicine • Professor, McMaster University • Director, Child Health & Exercise Medicine Program

Internationally recognized researcher in children's health, exercise medicine, and physical activity.

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ParticipACTION’s Spotlight on Physical Activity for Children and Youth: 2026 Progress Report Since the release of the 2024 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, new and important data have become available. This progress report provides new insights into the movement behaviours of children (ages 5 to 11 years) and youth (ages 12 to 17 years) in Canada and includes updated findings for six key indicators: overall physical activity, active play, active transportation,organized sp ort, sedentary behaviours and sleep.

PANEL 2 PRESENTER: Dr. Brianne Bruijns

ParticipACTION’s Spotlight on Physical Activity for Children and Youth: 2026 Progress Report

Report Card Project Manager, ParticipACTION

Physical activity researcher specializing in early childhood, settings-based interventions for this population.

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Fun in Athletics Experience fun, engaging athletics activities that build confidence, movement skills, and physical literacy through inclusive programming.

ACTIVE SESSION: Milt Ottey

Fun in Athletics

Canadian Olympian • Founder & CEO, OT Fitness

Two-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games champion inspiring lifelong participation through athletics.

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Pickleball for All Learn introductory skills, games, and strategies that make pickleball an enjoyable activity for participants of every age and ability.

ACTIVE SESSION: Hamilton Seniors Pickleball Association

Pickleball For All

Led by Paula Bertolla & Bill Young

Promoting accessible and inclusive pickleball opportunities for all ages and abilities.

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A Super Simple Approach to Dance! Learn an easy, creative approach to teaching dance using the Five Elements of Dance. Participants will leave with curriculum-aligned resources and practical assessment tools. Exploring Math Through Movement Bring math to life through movement and music while exploring patterns, fractions, geometry, coding, and other curriculum expectations. Participants will gain ready-to-use, cross-curricular activities.

ACTIVE SESSION: Amy Tempermann

A Super Simple Approach to Dance!
Exploring Math Through Movement

Founder & CEO, Moving EDGEucation

Educator helping teachers bring movement into classrooms through dance and cross-curricular learning.

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ACTIVE SESSION: Sportball

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Physical Literacy Escape Room Experience a hands-on Physical Literacy Escape Room that can be implemented in almost any open space using a simple set of locks and cards. Participants will also explore adaptable activities requiring minimal equipment.

ACTIVE SESSION: Dr. John Byl

Physical Literacy Escape Room

Canadian Gopher Sport Educational Consultant

Internationally respected educator and physical literacy consultant.

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Active Cultures and Connections: Traditional Indigenous Games Experience traditional Indigenous games that celebrate culture, movement, teamwork, and physical literacy while building understanding and meaningful connections through active participation.

ACTIVE SESSION: Rising Stars Athletics & Education

Active Cultures and Connections: Traditional Indigenous Games

Community Sport & Education Organization

Organization promoting physical literacy, inclusion, and cultural learning through sport.

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