Inspiring Presentations. Ideas That Matter.
CATHERINE DUNPHY – Standing for Her: A Humanist Response to Systemic Moral Injury
What must change in our institutions and society to prevent gender-based violence and help women live free from fear?
Catherine is a writer and advocate whose work focuses on challenging harmful systems, amplifying marginalized voices, and creating pathways toward social change. Her efforts focus on the early intervention and prevention of gender-based violence through social-emotional learning programs in childcare centres and kindergartens. Catherine is also a founding member and former Executive Director of The Clergy Project, which supports clergy who have lost their religious faith. She is the author of Apostle to Apostate, a book exploring the experiences of clergy navigating the transition from religious belief to a life beyond faith. Through her writing, advocacy, and community-based work, Catherine promotes empathy, critical thinking, personal agency, and safer, more equitable communities.
DR. CHRISTOPHER DiCARLO – From Confusion to Clarity: Critical Thinking in a Digital Age
How can we recognize flawed reasoning, distinguish fact from fiction in an age of growing misinformation, and critically assess what we encounter on social media?
Christopher is an award-winning university professor of philosophy and critical thinking, and the Ethics Chair for the Canadian Mental Health Association in Wellington County. He is the senior researcher and ethicist at Convergence Analysis, a UK-based think tank focused on artificial intelligence (AI) risk and governance. In addition to his academic and advisory roles, he has written many acclaimed works on critical thinking, including How to Become a Really Good Pain in the Ass: A Critical Thinker’s Guide to Asking the Right Questions, So You Think You Can Think? Tools for Having Intelligent Conversations and Getting Along and most recently, Building a God: The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and the Race to Control It. Through his rigorous work on AI ethics, Christopher explores how we can responsibly navigate the benefits and challenges presented by rapidly advancing artificial intelligence and ensure that it serves humanity rather than undermines it. His Concerned About AI initiative promotes public understanding of AI and encourages informed discussion about its ethical implications, development, and impact on society, with support from the public helping to advance this educational work. With his signature blend of accessible philosophy, scientific insight, ethical reflection, and humour, Christopher will elucidate why thinking critically is even more important now in light of the ever-increasing fake news, images, and videos flooding social media and being shared by politicians, religious leaders, celebrities, and others with considerable public reach. Developing the skills to think for ourselves enables us to resist manipulation, consider claims more carefully, engage more thoughtfully with others, and contribute to a better-informed society. In his podcast “All Thinks Considered,” Christopher engages with thought leaders—from the celebrated to the controversial—in open discussions on an array of topics, exploring the depth and diversity of human thought and discourse: www.allthinksconsidered.com
NICOLE CALLANDER – Beyond the Circle of Care
How can we move beyond accommodation to recognize the whole person and create a genuine sense of belonging for people with disabilities?
Nicole is an award-winning community activist who advocates for people in our society who are often overlooked, including those who are elderly, living with disabilities, experiencing addiction, or facing homelessness. In her presentation, Beyond the Circle of Care, Nicole explores the distinction between physical and social accessibility, shows how meaningful inclusion goes beyond practical or administrative solutions and encourages us to see the whole person, and considers how we can help make our communities more welcoming to our most vulnerable members. With an extensive background in social work and family counselling, along with her compassion for others and advocacy efforts, Nicole brings a combination of professional knowledge, lived experience, and humanist values to the conversation. Nicole is the founder of Friends 4 Kindness, a nonprofit organization that creates social opportunities for individuals with disabilities. She also serves with New Paths Brant, which identifies housing needs for adults with disabilities and coordinates community efforts to develop safe, accessible, stable, and affordable housing. She is also involved with Riverside Hub, a collaborative project in Brantford that connects residents with healthcare and outreach programs. Nicole is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, the 2026 City of Brantford Accessibility Award, and the Paul Harris Fellow recognition from Rotary International.
SASSAN SANEI – Where My Freedom Meets Yours
How do we balance individual freedoms with the rights and well-being of others? When those rights conflict, whose prevail?
Sassan is a graduate of the University of Waterloo, earning degrees in both Philosophy and Electrical Engineering. His academic path reflects his passion for bridging humanist principles with science. His career in the technology sector further shaped his perspective, giving him insight into how innovation, evidence-based reasoning, and ethical responsibility interconnect to shape society. As a Humanist Officiant, he delivers thoughtful and inclusive ceremonies for people of all backgrounds. Drawing on this unique combination of humanities and science, Sassan serves on the Board of Humanist Canada to help advance reason, compassion, and secular public policies.
CATHERINE FRANCIS – Abortion Rights in Canada: A Humanist Perspective
Who should decide whether a pregnancy continues: the individual, religious authorities, cultural expectations, or the state? Where should a secular society draw the line?
Catherine Francis is a Toronto lawyer with a keen interest in legal issues affecting religious “nones” and in advancing genuinely secular public policy. Her commitment to equality and human rights began at a young age, having been raised in a secular household grounded in a strong belief in fairness, objectivity, and civil rights. A graduate of the University of Toronto, Catherine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree, and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1987. She is a partner at Fogler, Rubinoff LLP, where she practises primarily in commercial and insolvency litigation. Drawing on her extensive legal experience, lifelong Humanism, and commitment to secularism, Catherine brings a distinctive perspective to the relationship between law, religion, and public life. In her presentation, Abortion Rights in Canada: A Humanist Perspective, Catherine examines the history and evolution of attitudes and laws surrounding abortion in Canada, the influence of religious institutions, cultural expectations, and family directives, and the challenges that may shape the future of abortion access. At the heart of her presentation is a central Humanist question: who should have the authority to decide whether to continue an unwanted pregnancy?
LESLIE ROSENBLOOD – Secularism in Canada: The Road Traveled, The Road Ahead
How far has Canada come in separating religion from public life, and what challenges remain on the path toward a secular and equitable society?
Leslie is the Secular Chair at the Centre for Inquiry Canada and the host of Podcast for Inquiry. The podcast features open, thoughtful, and sometimes challenging conversations with authors, educators, activists, scientists, and public figures on issues ranging from secularism and ethics to religion, human rights, public policy, and scientific literacy. He asks difficult questions, examines assumptions, and encourages respectful dialogue grounded in evidence and reason. Leslie is passionate about secularism and its role in Canadian public life. He has spoken extensively about the influence of religion on government, politics, and education, and writes about secularism, ethics, culture, free speech, and related issues on his personal blog, www.opinionsquestions.blogspot.com. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics (Computer Science) from the University of Waterloo and an MBA in Science and Technology from Queen’s University. As a committed Humanist, Leslie believes that evidence-based public policy provides the strongest foundation for laws and regulations, and that facts and their logical implications should play a central role in public discourse. He is also a licensed Humanist Officiant, helping people mark life’s milestones with ceremonies that are personal and meaningful. Based in Toronto, Leslie brings the same curiosity and sense of humour to the stage. He enjoys the theatre and improvisational comedy and has appeared in a number of plays and stand-up comedy shows.
MAYA CHAIKAM – One Planet, Different Worlds: The Cost of Indifference
Who pays the price of environmental indifference, and what responsibility do we have when some communities suffer disproportionately?
Maya is a second-year student in the Environment, Resources, and Sustainability program at the University of Waterloo. Her passion lies in environmental sustainability, with a special focus on environmental justice. In her hometown of Sarnia, she observed the unacceptable living conditions faced by Indigenous communities, particularly those located close to industrial plants. Maya hopes to increase public understanding of these situations and advocate for the human right to fresh air, clean water, and other necessities of life. Beyond the ethical dimension, she is interested in exploring current environmental perspectives and value systems. By understanding these systems, Maya believes we can better consider what we as humanists can do in our own communities to raise awareness of global environmental crises and make strides toward progress. Maya’s father is culturally Hindu, while her mother was raised in a devout Mormon environment. Although she spent her early childhood in the Mormon faith, Maya’s family has lived a secular life for the last 15 years. The recipient of six academic scholarships and three awards, Maya also loves music and plays the violin, flute, and guitar.
Conference concludes with dinner followed by an “unusual” entertainer
BILL NUVO – Magician, Comedian & Scam-Buster
For over 40 years, Bill Nuvo has been “unusually entertaining,” combining magic, comedy, juggling, and sideshow stunts in performances that leave audiences laughing and questioning what is real and what is illusion. He has entertained audiences across Canada at festivals, conferences, and special events, including the Stratford Festival’s 50th birthday celebration in 2002. A magician with a skeptical mind, Bill has turned his expertise in misdirection into lessons in critical thinking. Featured as an expert guest in CBC Marketplace’s 2018 episode “Scam or Science? How Not to Get Fooled,” he demonstrated how psychological misdirection can make apparent scientific claims seem convincing. He exposed the techniques used by a chiropractor who appeared on Dragon’s Den to persuade investors that his clip-on product could stimulate nerve receptors to improve balance, muscular strength, and joint function. Whether creating illusions on stage or exposing them in everyday life, Bill combines entertainment with a valuable reminder: always question that which seems extraordinary. https://www.nuvoentertainment.com/
TICKETS & REGISTRATION
Tickets only available in advance through ZEFFY. No tickets will be available at the door.
Click on this link to register for the conference: www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/2026-humanism-in-action-conference