SCHEDULE DETAILS Information of Event Schedules
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Welcome and Opening Remarks
Join Todd Humber, publisher and editor-in-chief of HR News Canada and HR Law Canada, as he opens Mental Health Talks with a candid reflection on why conversations about mental health matter in today’s workplaces. Drawing on his experience covering the frontlines of employment and HR issues,
Todd will set the stage for a day of learning, dialogue, and practical insights. His remarks will underscore the importance of leadership, compassion, and resilience in fostering healthier, more supportive workplaces.
Todd Humber
Opening Keynote: Leading Through Trauma
Brian Knowler, a veteran police officer turned workplace mental health advocate, brings personal and professional insight into how trauma shapes leadership. In this session, he explores the human side of resilience, sharing lessons learned from frontline experience and his work with organizations across Canada.
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how leaders can acknowledge their own challenges, support their teams with authenticity, and foster environments where open conversations about mental health are normalized. Brian’s message is clear: stronger leaders create healthier, more resilient workplaces.
Restoring Psychological Health and Safety Beyond Formal Resolution
Workplace processes like investigations, layoffs, and performance management are necessary, but they can leave behind hidden fractures—strained relationships, diminished trust, and cultural wounds that impact employee wellbeing. In this session, organizational psychologist and executive coach Beata Chami shares practical, trauma-informed strategies for restoring psychological safety after disruption.
Participants will learn how to use inclusive communication, effective post-event practices, and collaborative rituals to rebuild trust and cohesion. Designed for HR leaders and managers, this session offers tools to move beyond surface-level recovery toward meaningful restoration and healthier, more resilient workplace cultures.
Opening Remarks
Todd Humber
Stuart Rudner
AI & HR: Future-Proofing your Workplace
AI is transforming workplaces at breakneck speed, leaving HR scrambling to keep pace while avoiding legal pitfalls. This essential session equips HR professionals with practical strategies for leveraging AI responsibly across the employee lifecycle.
Learn to harness AI for smarter hiring that drives genuine diversity, not checkbox compliance. Discover how to use AI-powered performance insights to deliver unbiased feedback and boost engagement. Master the art of identifying automation opportunities while upskilling your workforce instead of downsizing.
Address the tricky compensation questions when employees use AI to supercharge productivity. Finally, navigate the complex terrain of AI-influenced terminations and employee relations, ensuring your organization stays legally compliant while embracing innovation.