ONBARR Speakers

Talk Title:  Human Trafficking 101 

This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of human trafficking, including how it is defined, the legal framework surrounding the crime, and the tactics traffickers use to recruit and exploit victims. Participants will gain an understanding of the individual and systemic risk factors that increase vulnerability, the stages of exploitation, and the common warning signs that may indicate someone is being trafficked. The session also explores the complex psychological and practical barriers that make leaving an exploitative situation extremely difficult, while highlighting current provincial and municipal trends. Attendees will leave with increased awareness, practical knowledge for identifying and responding to concerns, and information about available community resources and supports.

Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, will explore the ethical, social, and policy implications of euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada. His talk will examine how current legislation and cultural attitudes impact vulnerable populations, challenging participants to rethink concepts of care, dignity, and support within social service systems. 

Talk Title: Supporting Individuals with TBI from Underserved and Marginalized Communities 

This presentation will provide an overview of communities with TBI who are often marginalized and underserved. Barriers, risks and protective factors typically experienced by these communities with TBI, and the importance of working with a trauma and violence informed lens to support equity and access will be discussed. Considerations and strategies for practitioners will also by provided.

Talk Title: The Whistleblower's Gift

When Kelly first spoke up in 2016, she expected police leaders to listen so that policies could improve at her police service. Instead, she has faced a decade of retaliation, even after resigning from the policing. It’s time to shift the way we see disclosures, as the true gift they are. Kelly’s former police service is on track to spend $1M trying to silence her, yet Kelly is positively influencing workplace culture across Canada and beyond.  

Talk Title:  Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)- Untangling the Fiction from the Facts

Dr. Green will speak about Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada. After reviewing the foundations, she will highlight the evidence and the data to explore what we know is happening and then tackle some of the mis and dis-information that has been perpetuated. She will highlight some concerns she sees and leave time for interactive questions. 

Talk Title:  The current status of mental health care - call to action for a better way

With rising treatment resistance to standard care practices, Dr. Crosbie Watler will discuss the great need for new awareness and new tools for supporting people with mental health and substance use challenges. Perhaps most are not disordered as they've been told. When we consider what humans need to thrive, more often than not, people make sense, with predictable negative outcomes when these elements are missing. Dr. Watler will explore how identifying and addressing these upstream mediators can make recovery not only possible, but by design, with strong evidence to support its efficacy. 

Corporate Comedy

Evan Carter is a stand-up comedian who was born, raised, and still lives in Toronto. Evan’s connectivity to his audience is masterfully achieved by his ability to see the comedic world through the eyes of a father, son, and friend. His likes, dislikes, and head scratching moments provide an endless source of fascination and material that he masterfully delivers on stage in front of head nodding and belly laughing audience members. 

Stay tuned as we continue to announce more speakers who will bring valuable insights, strategies, and inspiration to ONBARR.