Tomorrow: World’s Leading Experts on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Gather in Toronto
October 19, 2026. Around 8,000 participants from 100 countries are expected at the Metro Toronto Convention Center for the convention, scheduled for October 20 to 23, 2026.
The convention will be called MSToronto2026, a shortened name replacing earlier, longer titles such as the global meeting of the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) and the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS).
Specialized Audience:
Most activities will be for registered attendees only, including researchers, clinicians, and healthcare practitioners from around the world.
However, the “Patient Community Day” will be open to individuals living with MS. This event will take place live at the convention center on Friday, October 23, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Patients can also participate by registering online. This day will let people living with MS learn about the latest research and ask questions of expert presenters.
Why Did the MS Committee Choose Canada for Its Conference?
According to the MS website, “Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world, with an estimated 90,000 Canadians living with the disease. On average, 12 Canadians are diagnosed with MS every day.”
Although the reasons are not fully understood, Dr. Jiwon Oh, a Toronto-based MS expert, suggests that “it partly has to do with genetics, and partly with environmental factors. We know that there is a higher incidence of MS as you move further away from the equator, which in some cases can be attributed to lower exposure to sunlight and lower vitamin D levels.”
Is There a Recent Breakthrough in MS Treatment?
Dr. Oh notes, “New treatments are expected to become available soon, which more effectively target the disease mechanisms of progressive MS. These include Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, which I believe will usher in a new era of treatments for MS.”
*BTK is a therapeutic target in several hematological malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and has been identified as a driving factor not only in lymphoproliferative disorders but also in autoimmune diseases and responses to infections.
“Ultimately, these treatments will enable individuals with MS to reduce the risk of disease progression, leading to improved clinical outcomes in the long term.”
Notable Canadians Who Have Battled MS.
- Noah Shebib (known professionally as “40”): A music producer from Toronto who has worked with Drake and other performers. Shebib was diagnosed with MS in his early 20s. In a 2012 interview with CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta, he stated, “Your brain is tricked, so your nerves are telling you something that’s not true.”
- Aaron Solowoniuk: A member of the band Billy Talent from Mississauga, Solowoniuk was diagnosed with MS at age 24 and continued to perform as the band’s drummer until 2016. He shared in a 2020 Instagram post by MS Canada, “The hardest thing for me with MS is how unpredictable it is. When I think I’m getting ahead and doing well, MS shows up and knocks me down.”
- Bryan Bickell: A former National Hockey League player from Bowmanville; part of three Stanley Cup-winning teams in Chicago. Bickell was diagnosed with MS in 2016 and retired from hockey at the end of the 2016–17 season. In a 2017 interview with Multiple Sclerosis News Today, he reflected, “Hockey taught me the importance of perseverance and teamwork, and I’ve carried these lessons into my new life with MS.”
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