The Gap and the Bridge: Canada’s First Psychedelic Legislation, U.S. Acceleration, Canadian Access, and What Might Come Next

Something significant is happening in the world of psychedelic-assisted therapy — and we want to talk about it together.

On June 16, 2026, we had the first reading of Thomas’s Bill (Bill C-286) in the House of Commons, a private member’s bill led by MP Corey Tochor. Inspired by a constituent who used psilocybin to manage severe anxiety during cancer treatment, this is an important step towards improving access to evidence based psychedelic therapies for mental health.

You can sign the petition for Thomas’s bill here.

In April 2025, the U.S. government signed an executive order to accelerate psychedelic medicine research and access, backed by US$50 million in federal funding. It’s a meaningful moment — one that’s sparking important conversations about the future of mental health care.

In this webinar, we will discuss what these legislative moves mean for access and the future, as well as review the current legal, above-ground pathways that already exist in Canada. The current pathways are not always simple to navigate. Canadian clinicians and researchers can access regulatory approval to offer psychedelic-assisted therapy through clinical trials and established treatment programs. Access is possible, happening, and growing.

These legislative shifts add momentum and energy – opportunities for more research, more dialogue, and more attention on a field that Canadian practitioners are already helping to shape.

Join three experts in the field – Rev Darda, Austin Miller, and Nicholas Pope, for an open, grounded conversation about where psychedelic-assisted therapy stands today — what’s changing, and what might be on the horizon.

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We’ll explore:

• The story behind bill C-286 and the legislative steps within a private member’s bill.
• What the U.S. executive order means — and how it connects to the Canadian conversation
• What legal, regulated pathways look like for practitioners in Canada today
• How to position yourself now as this field continues to grow

This conversation is for:

• Mental health professionals curious about psychedelic-assisted therapy
• Clinicians wanting to understand what’s legally available to them right now
• Therapists and trainees wondering how to enter this field the right way
• Clients and advocates wanting to understand the current landscape
• Anyone who’s been watching this space and wants to know what’s next

 

All are welcome. No prior knowledge required.

Q&A is open to everyone — come with your questions.

Meet the Experts

Reverdi Darda (RN) is the CEO and Co-Founder of ATMA CENA. She has over three decades experience as a Registered Nurse and Executive Leader specializing in community engagement, healthcare operations, policy development and strategic planning. Reverdi is driven to advance access to evidence-based mental health treatment models that will benefit those in need. She is board member of MAPS Canada is focused on advocating for policy change prioritizes access to new and effective mental health treatments.

Austin Miller (MA, MPM, LEED) leads strategy at Bluestem, a Canadian research, technology, and advocacy company advancing psilocybin and regulated clinical workflow solutions, and serves as Board Chair of PsyCan, the Psychedelic Industry Association of Canada. With a strong track record securing cannabis and psilocybin permits, Austin brings deep expertise in advocacy, policy reform, governance, and innovation to the evolving psychedelic healthcare landscape.

Nicholas Pope (JD, University of Calgary, Ontario Bar 2019) is an Ottawa-based lawyer who practices federal administrative law, holding government decision-makers from Cabinet ministers to administrative tribunals accountable to the Charter and the rule of law. With a background spanning international human rights advocacy across three continents, Nicholas uses the law to drive systemic change for those who are most vulnerable.