About CCSA's Issues of Substance
CCSA’s Issues of Substance conference is Canada’s leading national event focused on substance use health, prevention, treatment and recovery.
It is hosted every two years by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) .
Through keynote presentations, interactive sessions, workshops and networking opportunities, CCSA’s Issues of Substance strives to create an inclusive and welcoming space for everyone to share their diverse perspectives.
It is where people with different experiences and ideologies can come together and collaborate to help bring change and improve substance use health for people in Canada.
About CCSA
Some very nice words
An act of Parliament with all-party support established CCSA in 1988 to provide national leadership to address substance use in Canada.
A trusted counsel, we provide national guidance to decision makers by harnessing the power of research grounded in rigorous evidence, informed by sound science, and guided by compassion and the voices of individuals, their families and communities.
We pride ourselves on being an independent and trusted third-party expert. Our work with partners and governments across the country helps improve health outcomes.
In this section:
Working together across communities
We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work. We are determined to ensure that First Nations, Inuit and Métis people are meaningfully involved in shaping research, policy and community programs.
Our work supports healthy communities and practical, evidence-informed approaches.
Connecting people with evidence
We have been increasingly working to partner with people with expertise through lived and living experience. Their knowledge is vital to people and communities across Canada.
Collaboration ensures that our research is relevant to people it concerns and that services are designed to meet the needs of people accessing support.
Evidence guided by compassion
Our work is always firmly rooted in evidence and sound methodology, but it is driven by compassion. We are committed to fostering understanding and awareness of substance use health issues.
Much of our activities and products are made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada. The views of the organization do not necessarily represent the views of the Government of Canada.
Host City
Winnipeg Awaits
A welcoming city where culture, history and prairie hospitality come together.
- Welcoming community Learn more about Winnipeg and the people who make the city an inviting conference destination.
- Rich culture Explore local food, arts, attractions and experiences during your stay.
- Central location Discover places to visit around the conference and downtown Winnipeg.
Past Conferences
A legacy of learning and impact.
CCSA’s Issues of Substance conference is held every two years in autumn, usually November.
The locations, years and attendance figures of previous CCSA’s Issues of Substance conferences are as follows:
| Year | Location | Attendees |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Halifax, Nova Scotia | 941 |
| 2023 | Vancouver, British Columbia | 818 |
| 2021 | Virtual Event | 758 |
| 2019 | Ottawa, Ontario | 650 |
| 2017 | Calgary, Alberta | 480 |
| 2015 | Montreal, Quebec | 466 |
| 2013 | Ottawa, Ontario | 411 |
| 2011 | Vancouver, British Columbia | 460 |
| 2009 | Halifax, Nova Scotia | 527 |
| 2007 | Edmonton, Alberta | 950* |
| 2005 | Markham, Ontario | 400 |
*Presented by CCSA in partnership with the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC). In 2007, AADAC was Alberta’s provincial agency providing alcohol, drug and gambling treatment and prevention services. It is now integrated into Alberta Health Services’ Addiction and Mental Health programs.
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