André Picard

Award-Winning National Health Writer

Health & Wellness Authors Bilingual Fresh Perspectives

View all topics and types

Topics

Healthcare Mental Health Most Requested Politics & Current Events

Types

Journalists Most Requested Political Analysts

Book this speaker

Book André Picard, Health & Wellness Speaker

About This Speaker

André Picard is one of Canada’s leading health and public policy commentators. He has worked as a health reporter and columnist for The Globe and Mail since 1987. He is also the author of six bestselling books. Over the decades, André has built a reputation as a trusted voice on public health issues. His sharp analysis and relatable style engage a wide range of audiences.

André has received widespread recognition for his journalism. He has been nominated eight times for the National Newspaper Award, Canada’s top journalism prize, and has twice won as the nation’s Best Columnist. The Pan-American Health Organization awarded him the Centennial Prize for excellence in health reporting across 17 countries in the Americas. He also received the prestigious Michener Award for Meritorious Public Service Journalism.

Beyond journalism, André Picard advocates for better healthcare in Canada. The Canadian Public Health Association named him the country’s first “Public Health Hero.” The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health recognized him as a “Champion of Mental Health.” He also received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his work advancing health equity and access.

In 2023, André was named to the Order of Canada—one of the country’s highest civilian honours—for his lifetime commitment to improving public health understanding and practices.

André Picard is a graduate of the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. He has also received honorary doctorates from eight institutions, including the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto.

Known for his conversational tone and gift for storytelling, André simplifies complex topics to connect with audiences of all backgrounds. Fluent in English and French, he sparks curiosity and offers clear, insightful commentary. This makes him a sought-after speaker on health, policy, and social issues.

Videos

Speaking Topics: André Picard

Effectively Communicating Health Information

In this presentation, André Picard breaks down the biggest challenges of our healthcare system faces. Many people are not informed about these challenges and do not take the proper steps to prevent them. André will provide your audience with some critical tools and strategies to effectively communicate information, and spread awareness.

Critical Care - What's Happening in Canada's Healthcare System

How strong is our healthcare system? What challenges can it withstand? Are there opportunities for improvement? Award-winning national health writer, André Picard, answers these questions and more as he shares his healthcare vision for the future.

Seniors Care

André Picard talks about all elements of elder abuse and includes references to the Kerby Centre- Canada’s first shelter for battered seniors.

Mental Health

How can we raise awareness of mental health issues? How are we able to create safe environments for those who suffer from illnesses? André Picard will guide you through the best practices of approaching mental health.

What's Next: The COVID Aftermath

André Picard is a leading voice on the impact and consequences of COVID-19 in Canada. He has reported on the pandemic from a wide range of angles since day one, from the shifting messages about masks and vaccines to the massacre of neglect in nursing homes. More than years after the pandemic began, André still helps us under the longstanding impacts of a pandemic and its unexpected impacts on everything from health care delivery to the economy. In this exclusive virtual keynote, he will guide you through an in-depth trajectory of the virus and up-to-the-hour information on progress.

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF MEDICARE?

Millions of Canadians don’t have a family doctor. ERs are overflowing. Wait times for surgery stretch for months and years. The elder system is collapsing. There is no question Canada’s health system is in crisis. But how did we get there? And how do we fix Canada’s beloved medicare system? André Picard has more than 40 years of experience covering health care in Canada. There is no better way to answer these burning questions and, above all, offer solutions. His key message is a hopeful one: Everything is fixable.