Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) are hosting their 22nd annual Summit, Canada’s largest 2S/LGBTQIA+ health conference in Toronto, October 29–November 1, 2026. The event brings together hundreds of researchers, advocates, and healthcare providers to address and advance the health and wellbeing of queer, trans, and Two-Spirit communities nationwide.

CBRC promotes the health of people of diverse sexualities and genders through research and intervention development. CBRC’s core pillars of community-led research, knowledge exchange, network building, and leadership development position the organization as a thought leader, transforming ideas into actions that make a difference in our communities. CBRC was incorporated in 1999 and is a non-profit charitable organization located in Vancouver, British Columbia, with staff working remotely across Canada.

Summit is CBRC’s annual knowledge exchange and capacity building conference on the health of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, intersex, and other sexual and gender diverse people (2S/LGBTQIA+) in Canada. Every year, Summit brings together researchers, service providers, and community-based organizations from across Canada to exchange ideas and lead the conversation on 2S/LGBTQIA+ health research, programming, services, and advocacy.

Each Summit includes several days of interdisciplinary and community-centered content, including workshops, panel presentations, workshops, readings, and roundtable discussions from a diverse range of community, academic, clinical, public health, and policy stakeholders on 2S/LGBTQIA+ health. Every Summit also features exciting keynote speakers including researchers and advocates from across Canada and around the world whose work is having a significant impact on queer, trans, and Two-Spirit communities.

“2S/LGBTQIA+ communities have a long history of building solutions, solidarity, and systems of care in response to threats to health, rights, and wellbeing,” says Michael Kwag, Executive Director of CBRC. “As our communities continue to face renewed challenges, Summit 2026 will unite experts across various disciplines — including researchers, Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers, community activists, healthcare providers, and policymakers — to share the latest research, projects, and insights that help strengthen and advance community-led work.”

After two decades in Vancouver, and following last year’s event in Montreal, this marks the Summit’s first time in Toronto and its first four-day in-person format. Hosted at Westin Harbour Castle, the expanded program features panels, roundtables, networking events, and keynotes, along with sponsor and community exhibits.

Under the theme “Building Our Futures,” Summit 2026 will explore key issues in queer and trans health, including HIV/AIDS, long-acting PrEP, queer harm reduction, Indigenous Two-Spirit advocacy, building cancer equity for 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities, laying pathways for queer and trans im/migrant and newcomer health, and more. Among this year’s featured keynote speakers are Black queer femme scholar Dr. OmiSoore H. Dryden, former Quebec National Assembly Member Manon Massé, and CBRC Research Director Jad Sinno.

Summit 2026 details:

  • Summit: October 29–November 1
  • Location: Westin Harbour Castle
  • More information and full program guide are available here.

Summit 2026 is made possible through the generous support of Presenting Partner, ViiV Healthcare, and Premier Sponsors, Canadian Blood Services and Gilead Sciences Canada. The event is also supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Institute of Gender and Health, as well as the financial support of the Government of Canada.

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist based in Toronto with a focus on tourism, lifestyle, entertainment and community issues. He has written several travel articles and has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He’s willing to take on any assignments of interest, attend parties with free booze, listen to rants, and travel the world in search of the great unknown. He’s eager to discover the new, remember the past, and look into the future.