Substance Use Policy
Prevention, treatment, and harm reduction policy at every level of government.
Advisory & Policy
Consulting
Lived experience in substance use, harm reduction, and recovery policy.
What Chris Consults On
Tap into lived experience and national policy insight across these focus areas.
Harm Reduction Strategy
Building compassionate, evidence-based harm reduction programs that work.
Mental Health & Addiction
Lived-experience insight for organizations navigating addiction and mental health care.
Recovery Pathways
Designing services that reflect the many pathways people take into recovery.
Organizational Advisory
Strategic guidance for health systems, nonprofits, and national institutions.
Lived Experience Advocacy
Embedding authentic voices into planning, programming, and public engagement.
Career Highlights
Recognition, advocacy, and impact across Canada and internationally.
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Recipient of the 2025 Alumni of Distinction Award from Durham College.
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Nominated for the 2024 Premier's Awards.
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Nominated for the 2016 CAMH Transforming Lives Award.
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Selected to represent CAMH as a face for the "No One Left Behind" campaign in 2024, raising over $600 million dollars.
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Author of "The Long Road Back", manuscript in final stages of completion with projected release in early 2027.
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Served as Canadian delegate to the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna in 2026.
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Advised on and contributed to content for Harvard University's Vice-Provost for Advances in Learning/Kennedy School Adaptive Leadership Course in 2024.
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Received a Governor-in-Council Appointment in 2018 from the Governor General and Federal Health Minister.
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Creator of docuseries "Surviving Addiction" with Season 2 completed.
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Consulted on creation of Canadian Opioid Prescribing Guidelines for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain.
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Two time cross-Canada cyclist to raise awareness for mental health, addictions and the opioid crisis.
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Filmed the documentary "Inspire" on mental health, addiction and the impacts of the opioid crisis while cycling across Canada.
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Member of the National Speakers Bureau.
Current & Past Roles
A track record of advising governments, health systems, and national organizations.
2025 — Present
World Health Organization
Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Mental Health, Brain Health and Substance Use
2026
United Nations
Canadian delegate to the 69th Commission on Narcotic Drugs
2025 — Present
Health Canada
Chair, Civil Society Working Group on International Drug Policy
2023 — Present
Lakeridge Health
Emergency Department Peer Support Specialist; Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Care Working Group
2022 — Present
Ontario Health
Substance Use Disorder Provincial Advisory Table
2022 — Present
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
Constituency Council
2020 — Present
Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine (CSAM)
Policy Committee
2018 — Present
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA)
Board of Directors
2017 — Present
Municipality of Durham Region
Opioid Task Force
2017 — Present
Ontario Health East
Opioid Strategy Action Group, Mental Health and Addictions Working Group
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Book Chris for speaking, consulting, or media opportunities — or reach out to start a conversation about recovery, resilience, and hope.