Breaking the Silence: Women’s Reproductive Health in Canada

Join us for an insightful panel discussion on women’s reproductive health in Canada. Our expert speakers will explore critical issues including endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic floor disorders,

and broader reproductive health challenges.

Conditions like endometriosis and fibroids often go undiagnosed for years, leading to chronic pain, infertility, and reduced quality of life. With diagnosis for endometriosis taking an average of 7 to 10

years, this delay highlights persistent gaps in healthcare, stigma around pelvic pain, and a lack of awareness among both patients and providers.

Our conversation will focus on barriers to timely diagnosis, current research, and the importance of education and advocacy in improving women’s healthcare. Whether you’re a healthcare

professional, patient, or advocate, this event provides space for meaningful dialogue and practical insights. Speakers:

Nicole Welbanks, Head of Group Benefits Marketing, Manulife Canada (Opening Remarks)

Julie Anderson, Senior Director of Clinical Outcomes, Maven Clinic

Dr. Jamie Kroft, Deputy Chief, DAN Women and Babies Program, Robotics Surgical Lead, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Past-President, CanSAGE

Dr. Cindy Maxwell, Vice President, Medical Affairs & System Transformation and Lead Medical Executive, Women’s College Hospital

Zahra Jivan, Healthcare Leader, Deloitte Consulting Canada (Moderator)

*The views expressed on the Economic Club of Canada platform are not that of the Economic Club or its affiliates but of the speakers alone and the organizations they represent.*

Audio Recap:

Key Takeaways:

Access gaps and wait times in women’s health: Panelists highlighted severe delays for endometriosis and fibroid care, often years from symptoms to diagnosis and surgery, underscoring the need to expand specialist capacity and redesign referral pathways.

Education and data to close the women’s health gap: Speakers stressed the importance of training primary care and emergency providers on conditions like endometriosis and menopause, and called for national measurement systems and dashboards to track maternal and gynecologic outcomes.

Innovative models, virtual care, and femtech: The discussion showcased new approaches, from virtual endometriosis and menopause clinics to femtech partnerships like Maven and Ōura, that can complement Canada’s universal system and improve access, navigation, and outcomes for women and gender diverse people.

To read further and explore the full insights from this event, download the complete Key Takeaways document below.