Timiskaming attends Roundtable on Youth Health and Wellbeing in Ottawa -

Participating, from left to right, were Planet Youth CEO Pall Ríkhardsson, Joanne Pinnow, Director of Akak’stiman, United Way Calgary, Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Melanie Cormier, Planet Youth New Brunswick, and David Somppi, Planet Youth Lanark County.

The May 29th roundtable on Youth Health and Wellbeing in Ottawa occurred during the President and First Lady of Iceland’s State Visit to Canada.

The roundtable—hosted by the Icelandic Embassy, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and Planet Youth—brought together dignitaries, government representatives, and public health practitioners to discuss the Icelandic Prevention Model and its introduction to Canadian communities.

Health authorities in Canada have been aware of the work done by Planet Youth and the novelty of the Icelandic Prevention Model for some time. The method was discussed among others in the annual report written by the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada in 2018. Communication channels have been open between Planet Youth and authorities regarding possible future cooperation in substance use prevention among youth, and the visit will serve as a good opportunity to exchange knowledge and discuss further cooperation. The closing remarks were made by The Honorable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, along with Jon Sigfusson, Chairman of Planet Youth.

Erika Aelterman represented Planet Youth Timiskaming at this event on May 29.

Videos can be viewed on the Planet Youth YouTube channel, here: