Made in Canada: Showcasing York Global Health Innovation on Parliament Hill

On October 6, 2025, Canadian innovation took center stage at Made in Canada, Grand Challenges Canada’s flagship showcase of Canadian global health innovation on Parliament Hill. The event brought together innovators from across the country whose solutions are improving and saving lives worldwide, with support from Grand Challenges Canada.

The gathering was marked by the presence of senior government dignitaries. The Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State for International Development, delivered remarks alongside Dr. Karlee Silver, CEO of Grand Challenges Canada, and Members of Parliament including Dave Epp, who provided opening remarks. Senior decision-makers from Global Affairs Canada were also present, providing an opportunity for innovators to connect directly with policymakers working on matters related to international development. Their participation underscored the Government of Canada’s commitment to advancing global health and humanitarianism through bold, homegrown innovation.

Among the featured innovations was the Safe Water Optimization Tool (SWOT), developed by Dr. Syed Imran Ali’s Humanitarian Water Engineering Lab at the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research. The SWOT is a machine-learning platform that transforms routine water quality data into life-saving safe water guidance for humanitarian responders. Already deployed in more than a dozen countries, the tool exemplifies how Dahdaleh Institute research is being translated into scalable global impact. The showcase allowed parliamentarians and policymakers to directly engage with the technology and understand its role in strengthening Canada’s international cooperation agenda.

At the invitation of the SWOT team, the Member of Parliament for Humber River–Black Creek—the riding in which York University is located—the Honourable Judy Sgro, visited the event. This connection highlighted York’s leadership in global health innovation and reinforced the university’s role as a hub of applied research with global impact.

The event succeeded in elevating the profile of Canadian innovation, positioning York University and the Dahdaleh Institute at the forefront of conversations on how Canada can maximize its contributions to global health and international development. By linking Canadian research excellence to global humanitarian challenges, the Made in Canada showcase not only celebrated achievements but also strengthened the case for continued federal investment in innovation as a driver of Canada’s global leadership.

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