Halifax, NS – April 30, 2026 – The Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association (NSHPCA) will host its annual provincial conference on May 7–8, 2026, at the Best Western Plus Bridgewater, bringing together 200 healthcare professionals, researchers, community organizations, caregivers, and people with lived experience.
Centered on the theme “Understanding the Palliative Approach and End-of-Life Care Across the Lifespan,” the two-day conference will explore how compassionate, person-centred care can be delivered at every stage of life – from pediatric to geriatric care.
The conference will feature more than 30 expert speakers, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, with presentations spanning key topics such as pediatric advance care planning, grief and culturally grounded approaches, dementia care, substance use in palliative contexts, and community-based grief support.
A highlight of this year’s conference is a special screening of In the Realm of Death & Dreaming, directed by Johanna Lunn, taking place on May 7 at Stonemont Retirement Lifestyle (45 Nathan Cirillo Road). The film explores near-death experiences, deathbed visions, and insights from clinicians and researchers on end-of-life experiences with two screenings being offered (6:00–7:00 p.m. and 7:30–8:30 p.m.).
The opening keynote, Dr. Sammy Winemaker, will focus on helping patients and families navigate serious illness with greater choice and clarity, while additional sessions will highlight innovations and challenges across care systems.
“This year’s conference reflects growing momentum across the sector – we’ve doubled attendance from last year, making it one of the largest palliative care conferences in Canada. It speaks to a shared commitment to strengthening care and support across the lifespan,” said Tim Guest, Executive Director of NSHPCA.
He added: “This conference is about more than learning – it’s about connection. By bringing together healthcare providers, community organizations, and people with lived experience, it’s an opportunity to learn from one another and strengthen the way we support individuals, families, and communities.”
With the conference now sold out, demand reflects the growing importance of advancing palliative care and grief support across Nova Scotia.
A full list of topics and the conference agenda can be found at www.nshpcaconference.ca.
Media Opportunities
Media are invited to attend and arrange interviews with:
Interview topics include:
Event Details
What: NSHPCA Conference 2026
Theme: Understanding the Palliative Approach and End-of-Life Care Across the Lifespan
When: May 7th 8:00AM – 5:00PM, May 8th 8:00AM – 12:30PM
Where: Best Western Bridgewater, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
Media Contact:
Michael Kydd
Communications Director, NSHPCA
mkydd@nshpca.ca
902-818-6983
nshpca.ca | healingpathways.nshpca.ca | nshpcaconference.ca
About the Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association (NSHPCA)
The Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association is a provincial, non-profit organization providing leadership, education, and advocacy in hospice palliative care, grief, and emotional wellness. While NSHPCA does not deliver care directly, it works to ensure individuals and families can access compassionate support by strengthening community capacity, sharing information, and supporting those who provide care. NSHPCA serves as the Community Hub Organization within the Nova Scotia Community Grief & Emotional Wellness Model, advancing a coordinated approach that promotes equitable access to grief and emotional wellness supports across the province.
