Join us in Ottawa, Ontario, for the inaugural CHFA Regulatory Forum, where industry leaders, policymakers, and elected officials come together to shape the future of Natural, Organic, and Wellness (NOW) in Canada. This exclusive event offers unparalleled access to key decision-makers, global insights, and forward-thinking strategies that will strengthen and advance our industry.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and drive meaningful change in the Canadian NOW industry.
Open to CHFA Members and non-members
Location: Westin Hotel in Ottawa
Kickstart your day on two wheels as we wind our way through scenic Gatineau Park.
This no drop, 70KM ride, will be at a pace to promote networking and connection, with four stops along the way to regroup and two to refill and refuel.
Additional Information:
Experience the enchanting beauty of the National Capital Region like never before on our world-famous Ottawa River Cruise. This unforgettable journey will take our delegation on a breathtaking adventure that has been the best way to explore the region since 1936. Take in over 50 focal points from Parliament Hill to the Canadian Museum of History, 24 Sussex Drive to the stunning Rideau Falls.
Sponsored by:
Connect with industry peers and distinguished Members of Parliament as we officially welcome our inaugural Ottawa Regulatory Forum delegation.
In recognition of the lands our Ottawa Regulatory Forum is hosted on, a Madahuki Cultural Ambassador will lead us through a traditional and energizing opening ceremony.
Join the CHFA team, Aaron Skelton (President & CEO), Sonia Parmar (VP, Regulatory & Government Affairs), Jules Gorham (Director, Regulatory Affairs & Policy) as they set the stage for the day’s sessions and discussions.
Details coming soon.
Speaker: David Nelson, Nova Institute for Health, Health First Network
Speakers from Health Canada’s Natural & Non-prescriptive Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) and Food Departments will join forces for this panel discussion that is sure to be both insightful and informative.
Innovation in natural health products demands a layered strategic approach, not just reactionary compliance. In this session, Salix Sciences presents a case demonstrating how scientific strategy, regulatory strategy, and IP strategy work together to drive innovation. By integrating technology development, research planning, university collaborations, and grant funding with formulation design, efficacy modeling, and clinical trials, we ensure a seamless path from concept to commercialization. Learn how leveraging Canadian research capabilities through proactive, multi-layered strategies delivers regulatory success, scientific validation, and market impact, shaping the future of natural health products.
Presented by:
Join Export Development Canada for an in-depth session on the current economic drivers and market developments influencing trade in the natural, organic and wellness sectors for food and natural health products. This session will explore:
Speaker: Prince Owusu, Senior Economist, Export Development Canada
Prince is a Senior Economist with over 20 years’ experience in economic forecasting and geopolitical analysis. At Export Development Canada, he oversees macroeconomic policy for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, providing market intelligence on agrifood, seafood, fertilizer, and lumber. He previously spent 16 years at the Conference Board of Canada.
This is your chance to grab a bite to eat and connect with industry peers about your thoughts, ideas and perspectives coming out of the morning sessions.
Details coming soon.
Speakers:
Sonia Parmar, VP Regulatory Affairs & Government Relations, CHFA
Jules Gorham, Director Regulatory Affairs & Policy, CHFA
The regulatory landscape and global supply chains are evolving rapidly, with Trump’s presidency already bringing shifts in trade policy, tariffs, and cross-border regulations. At the same time, Canada may see a change in government, adding further uncertainty for businesses navigating supply chain challenges. This panel will feature a representative from the Chamber of Commerce and two expert consultants discussing the biggest risks facing supply chains, what businesses should prepare for, and strategic considerations to maintain resilience in this shifting political and economic environment.
Gain valuable insights on how industry can better navigate the complex and evolving process of Health Canada submissions.
Speaker: Dr. JP Powers, Partner and Scientific Advisor, Gowling WLG
We hear wellness is trending but what does that really mean? Who is shopping for these categories and what are they looking for? How do we connect with these consumers and get more Canadians shopping for natural, organic and wellness products? We’ll help you uncover these answers as we share the results from our latest research report: 2025 Health, Wellness & the Canadian Consumer.
Speakers:
Aaron Skelton, President & CEO, CHFA
Lynsey Walker, VP Marketing & Communications, CHFA
How a community is designed has an influence on the people who work and play in it, as it does their overall health. Canadian health food stores and wellness centers are now integrating seminar offerings and coffee shops, intentionally creating spaces that serve as gathering points for the community; Professor Barbone deep dives into the role industry can and should play in developing healthy communities. She will examine the intersection of the NOW industry on the social, economic, physical, and spiritual health of Canadian communities.
Speaker: Professor Patrizia Barbone
Starting in 2025, we’ve decided to host our CHFA Regulatory Forum yearly, separate from our CHFA NOW trade shows.
Hosting the CHFA Regulatory Forum in Ottawa gives delegates enhanced access to government officials and policymakers. This move allows us to deepen the impact of our regulatory and advocacy efforts by bringing these discussions to the heart of where we shape policies at a federal level.
The design of our new Ottawa event is to offer an enriched experience for those who seek a deeper dive into regulatory and advocacy issues, providing the information and education needed to navigate the evolving landscape of our industry.
This change will better serve our members by offering more focused opportunities for engagement and influence, ensuring that your voice is heard where it matters most.
We understand that access to regulatory updates and education is a core offering of our CHFA NOW events. We want to reassure our community that regulatory content will be accessible through our Friday conference sessions at CHFA NOW Toronto and Vancouver conferences and throughout the year through our robust educational resources, including webinars, regulatory reports, and more.
We are pleased to welcome CHFA members and non-members involved in the natural, organic and wellness industry to our Ottawa event.
Online registration for the CHFA Regulatory Forum will be open until Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Onsite registration is available Tuesday, May 27 to Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at The Westin Ottawa located at 11 Colonel By Dr. Ottawa, ON. Please note the onsite fee is $1,299 and is different from the online pre-registration price.
The CHFA Ottawa Regulatory Forum is taking place at The Westin Ottawa located at 11 Colonel By Dr. Ottawa, ON.
Networking Event: May 27, 2025 (details coming soon)
Conference Day: May 28, 2025
No, the CHFA Regulatory Forum will not be recorded or streamed and will be held in-person only at The Westin Ottawa. We hope you can join us!
Get in front of the regulatory & advocacy community in Natural, Organic & Wellness (NOW).
Learn more about sponsorship here.
Questions? Contact sales@chfa.ca.
Staying in Ottawa for the CHFA Regulatory Forum?
CHFA offers you exclusive deals on accommodations, pending availability:
The Westin Ottawa – Rates start at $309 CAD/night
The reservation cut-off date is Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
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