HALIFAX, NS – September 15, 2026 – The Nova Scotia Grief Alliance (NSGA), co-led by the Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association (NSHPCA) and Nova Scotia Health, is pleased to announce its Second Nova Scotia Provincial Grief Symposium, taking place on Friday, November 20, 2026, at the Best Western Plus Dartmouth Hotel & Suites.
Building on the success of its inaugural symposium, which welcomed more than 140 participants from across Nova Scotia, this year’s event will offer free registrations and provide even more opportunities for learning, collaboration, and networking.
The 2026 symposium theme, “Mobilizing Grief: Building Networks of Care,” recognizes that grief is a universal human experience and that meaningful support requires coordinated action across healthcare, education, workplaces, community organizations, and government. The symposium will bring together healthcare professionals, educators, researchers, community organizations, volunteers, policymakers, spiritual care providers, and people with lived experience to explore innovative approaches that strengthen grief support and build more connected, grief-aware communities throughout Nova Scotia.
“Last year’s symposium demonstrated the tremendous commitment that exists across Nova Scotia to improve how we respond to grief,” said Tim Guest, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association. “The conversations, partnerships, and shared learning that emerged continue to influence our work today. This year’s symposium will build on that momentum by bringing together even more voices and perspectives to strengthen networks of care that support Nova Scotians experiencing grief and loss.”
“Grief is experienced differently by every individual and every community, which is why collaboration is so important,” said Lindsay Sutherland, Director, Policy & Planning, Palliative Care Network, Nova Scotia Health. “The Nova Scotia Grief Alliance provides an opportunity for organizations and professionals to learn from one another, share evidence-informed practices, and strengthen the supports available to people across the province.”
The symposium will feature a full day of educational programming, including:
• A keynote presentation.
• Breakout sessions featuring emerging research and promising practices in grief support.
• Interactive panel discussions with thought leaders.
• Networking opportunities that encourage collaboration across sectors.
• Community exhibits showcasing organizations, programs, and resources from across Nova Scotia.
The complete agenda, including keynote speakers, concurrent sessions, panel discussions, workshop descriptions, and exhibitor information, will be released in the coming weeks.
The inaugural symposium, held in 2025, featured keynote speaker Andrea Currie, whose presentation, Medicine Stories: Travels Through the Landscape of Grief, explored the transformative role of storytelling in grief. Participants also engaged in a panel discussion featuring leaders from Nova Scotia Health, Wije’winen Health Centre, GriefMatters.ca, the Canadian Grief Alliance, and Valley Hospice, along with breakout sessions focused on community grief supports, newcomer and immigrant perspectives, and grief in schools. Networking sessions, resource tables, and interactive discussions created valuable opportunities to strengthen relationships and share knowledge across the province.
Registration is now open. Attendance is free, and additional tickets have been made available this year in response to the strong interest generated by the inaugural symposium. Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis at nsgriefalliance.com/grief-symposium.
Media Contact
Michael Kydd
Communications Director
Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association / Nova Scotia Grief Alliance
Cell: 902-818-6983
Email: mkydd@nshpca.ca
Website: nsgriefalliance.com/grief-symposium
About the Nova Scotia Grief Alliance
The Nova Scotia Grief Alliance is a province-wide initiative co-led by the Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association and Nova Scotia Health that strengthens grief support through education, collaboration, resource sharing, and capacity building. By connecting organizations, professionals, and communities, the Alliance advances grief literacy, promotes evidence-informed practices, and helps build compassionate, grief-aware communities across Nova Scotia.
