Concussions in Sport

We Can Do Better:
Governor General’s Conference on Concussions in Sport

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston will host a conference on concussions in sport on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, at Rideau Hall.

Driven by the Governor General’s strong desire for Canadian youth to play safe and continue to get involved in sport and physical activity—the objectives of the one-day conference are to bring together federal, provincial and territorial government representatives and key stakeholders in the sport, recreation, health and education sectors to advance collaboration in the development of a national approach to manage, detect and prevent concussions. The event is presented in partnership with Sport Canada and the Sport Information Resource Centre.

Sneak Peek of the Conference

Are you curious to know which topics will be discussed and who will be in attendance? Watch the Governor General’s video message for more information on the conference and its program.

Watch it Live

On December 6, at 9 a.m. (EST), watch the conference live here and submit your questions to the panellists via Twitter by using #GGCC2016.

Lineup of Panellists and Conference Themes

The conference will feature panellists speaking on four themes:Concussions in Professional Sports

Étienne Boulay, Retired CFL Player

Matt Dunigan, Retired CFL Player

Eric Lindros, Retired NHL Player 

Olympic and Paralympic Athletes Overcoming Concussions

Kristina Groves, Retired Olympic Speed Skater

Rosie MacLennan, Olympic Trampolinist

Tara Whitten, Olympic Cyclist

Karolina Wisniewska, Retired Paralympic Alpine Skier

Keynote Speech: “State of Play: Where We Are and Where We Go From Here”

Ken Dryden, Retired NHL Goaltender

Improving Concussion Management–The Medical Perspective

Pierre Frémont, Professor at the Faculty of Medicine at Laval University and Chair of the Canadian Concussion Collaborative

David Mulder, Team Physician with the Montreal Canadiens

Charles Tator, Neurosurgeon at Krembil Neuroscience Centre and Toronto Western Hospital

Roger Zemek, Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Research at The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario

We Can Do Better: Advancements in Addressing Concussions

Dan Cass, Chair of Rowan’s Law Advisory Committee

Monique Charbonneau, Head Therapist at BC Rugby

Michel Fafard, Director of Safety Promotion in Sports and Recreation at the Ministry of Education and Higher Learning of Quebec

Aaron Geisler, Manager of Development at Football Canada