Canada’s health and life sciences sector is undergoing a period of significant transformation. Organizations of all sizes are working to accelerate innovation and evolve reimbursement frameworks to enable faster patient access. As pressures on healthcare systems grow, we operate in an increasingly complex environment where policy, market access, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement are deeply interconnected.
As governments, healthcare providers, patient advocates, and industry work to improve health outcomes and strengthen the innovation ecosystem, strategic public affairs and government relations have become essential tools for navigating change, shaping policy conversations, and advancing patient access to innovative therapies and technologies.
Counsel has a 20+ year track record or working with pharmaceutical companies and associations, health professions, and medical device manufacturers. We have seen firsthand how the evolving public policy landscape has both driven – and stifled – health innovation. Our team of government relations, public opinion research, and communications experts have years of experience implementing unique strategies to produce results for our clients in the life sciences sector.
Against this backdrop, we are excited to officially launch Counsel Public Affairs’ Life Sciences Practice, led by Stacey Silverberg. We are equally proud to mark this milestone through our participation as the sponsored host for the 25th Annual Market Access Summit in Toronto on October 6-7, 2026, where leaders from across the healthcare and life sciences ecosystem will come together to discuss the future of market access, reimbursement, and health policy in Canada.
Reflections from Stacey Silverberg, Life Sciences Lead
My Time in the Sector and Why I’ve Chosen Counsel
Over my extensive career in life sciences, I have seen the sector change and become increasingly complex. What has not changed is that innovation remains paramount for Canadian patients. Success today depends on understanding evolving government priorities, health system challenges, and the broader policy environment.
Success is no longer determined by the strength of innovation alone. Organizations need to understand how policy decisions are made, how healthcare priorities are established, and how to effectively engage with governments, health system leaders, clinicians, industry partners, and patient communities. The need for thoughtful, strategic engagement and building trusted relationships has never been greater.
That’s what drew me to Counsel Public Affairs. I was attracted to the firm’s reputation for strategic thinking, deep understanding of government decision-making, and commitment to helping organizations navigate complex issues. Counsel’s team has a breadth of experience and deep expertise – and lives up to its mission of relentless commitment to client success.
As Canada’s healthcare system continues to evolve, government relations has become more important than ever. Policy decisions can shape market access outcomes, investment opportunities, and the timely adoption of innovation. Organizations that can engage proactively, rather than reactively, will be better equipped to anticipate change and contribute to the conversations that will define the future of healthcare in Canada.
I am excited to bring my life sciences experience to Counsel, to work alongside an exceptional team, and to help clients strengthen their voice, build meaningful relationships, and advance their objectives in an increasingly dynamic environment.
Join Us on October 6 and 7!
The conversations happening at this year’s Market Access Summit come at a critical time for Canada’s life sciences sector. As governments, health systems, industry, and patient organizations work to address growing pressures on the healthcare system, organizations are being challenged to demonstrate value, build the right relationships, and engage earlier in the policy and market access process.
That is where strategic government relations and public affairs can make a meaningful difference.
The launch of Counsel Public Affairs’ Life Sciences Practice reflects our commitment to helping organizations navigate this increasingly complex environment, identify opportunities for engagement, and position their priorities with the stakeholders who influence funding, policy, and access decisions.
If you are attending the Market Access Summit, we invite you to connect there with Stacey Silverberg, Sheamus Murphy, Jessica McDougall, and Kayla Mouzos. Whether you’re advancing a new innovation, navigating system change, or looking to strengthen your engagement strategy, we welcome the opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector today.
We look forward to meeting industry leaders, healthcare partners, patient advocates, and policymakers as we work toward a shared goal: improving access to innovation and delivering better outcomes for patients across Canada.
See you in Toronto this October.