2026 Post-Traumatic Growth Event - Strengthening What Matters
15 – 16 October 2026
Executive Director Laura Kloosterman
Badge of Life Canada Executive Director Laura Kloosterman will provide the opening remarks for this year’s Event.
Rama Police Service Ceremonial Drum
We are honoured that the Rama Police Service Ceremonial Drum will be again joining our opening ceremonies for our 2026 Event.
David Hurst
Badge of Life Canada is proud to announce that David Hurst will be the Keynote Speaker at this year’s event at the Horseshoe Valley Resort.
David is a Clinical and Counselling Psychologist at City Centre Psychology and the founder of City Centre Psychology. He specializes in the treatment of first responders and brings both professional expertise and lived experience as a former first responder.
He is registered with the College of Psychologists and Behavior Analysts of Ontario and is well aware of the unique challenges first responders face when reaching out for help, including the systemic and cultural barriers that can interfere with recovery.
David’s approach is highly experiential and holistic, engaging the mind, emotions, and body (“felt sense”) to support meaningful learning and lasting change.
Moral injury, sanctuary trauma, and truth
1. Sanctuary trauma and why help-seeking can wound
2. Moral injury as a barrier to growth
3. What trauma-informed leadership actually requires
4. Creating conditions where growth is possible—not performative
Keep the centre of gravity on people, connection, and conditions for growth.
Post-Traumatic Growth - Strengthening What Matters
Post-Traumatic Growth 2026 is Badge of Life Canada’s national event dedicated to advancing real, sustainable mental health practices within Public Safety communities. This gathering brings together Public Safety Personnel, leaders, clinicians, peer supporters, researchers, and family members who share a common purpose: strengthening the systems, relationships, and leadership practices that make healing and growth possible. This is not a conversation about simply getting through trauma. It is about building environments where people can recover, grow, and lead with integrity.
We must strengthen what protects people — not just respond when they are in crisis.
Post-Traumatic Growth 2026 focuses on proactive, practical strategies that:
• Enhance psychological safety
• Support moral injury-informed leadership
• Strengthen peer support models
• Integrate family inclusion
• Build sustainable mental health systems
• Move organizations from reactive to preventive approaches
Who Should Attend
• Police, Fire, Paramedic, Corrections, and Military personnel
• Chiefs, Commissioners, and executive leaders
• Supervisors and frontline managers
• Mental health professionals
• Peer supporters
• Researchers and policy leaders
• Family members supporting Public Safety Personnel
If you are invested in strengthening the mental health and leadership capacity of Public Safety communities, this event is for you.
Our Commitment
Badge of Life Canada has long focused on moving from crisis response to proactive influence. Post-Traumatic Growth 2026 continues that commitment by creating space for honest dialogue, collaborative solutions, and practical next steps.
We believe growth is possible — not because trauma disappears, rather because strong systems, compassionate leadership, and connected communities make it possible.
Registration will be on the 14th of October and the Event begins on the 15th.
Further information is provided below, as well as a registration link.
Details about the various presenters and panelists will be finalized soon.
The registration includes workshops and meals.
Payments will be accepted via the Stripe payment system.
To see the agenda, click Event Agenda.
Our 2026 Event online auction will be up and running later in the year.
To see the presenters and panelists, click HERE or on the picture below.
A heartfelt thanks to our incredible Sponsors – Your support truly makes a difference.
We are thrilled and deeply appreciative to have these remarkable Sponsors by our side, championing our upcoming Event. Their unwavering support fuels our mission, and we are proud to be associated with them. Click on their logos below to explore more about their impactful work.
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For our 2026 Event, there are sponsorship opportunities available. You can support by making monetary gifts or providing relevant marketing materials that will be given to our participants.
For more information on this opportunity, please click HERE to download our sponsorship package or contact Laura directly at Laura@badgeoflifecanada.org.
Please forward this information to anybody you know that may be willing to sponsor our Event.
