Forum Info

June 15 – 18, 2026 | Orillia, ON

Lakehead University Orillia Campus
500 University Avenue

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) 

at the Common Ground Food Forum

Other questions that you don’t see the answer to below? If you have any questions, somebody else has the same ones, too!
Please reach out if you have any questions about inclusion, diversity or other accommodations required to attend, that need to be addressed before you can submit your contribution idea. 
Please contact commonground@dal.ca.

Common Ground Forum presenters are committed to centering perspectives and voices from BIPOC participants coast-to-coast-to-coast. BIPOC participants may want to know that Orillia is a predominantly white community. A notable Indigenous community is present, and their knowledge will be highlighted at the forum. If you are Indigenous and would like to connect specifically with the local Indigenous community, please let us know.
 
Information about communication
Language information: The forum will have professional simultaneous interpretation across French and English for as many sessions as possible to foster connections.  People are encouraged to present and share knowledge in both French and English.
Hearing support: There is no ASL available for the forum. There is space that can be reserved at the front for better hearing.  Please indicate this is a request when you register. If you require additional support, please let us know.

Link to Orillia Campus Information

Want to ensure there are rest areas?

There will be a couple of quiet spaces for rejuvenation and juicing up electronics.

There is also some seating in hallways, in the residence hall, and outside. 

Concerned about finding your way?

There will be an information table and bilingual signage to help navigate the space.  

There will also be a whiteboard that is updated daily.  

Concerned about getting around the space?

All classrooms are accessible. There is a wheelchair available for emergency transfer if needed. Seating in all classrooms is detached. Seating in the lecture halls is attached swivel seats; however, there are some pull-out chairs as well for larger participants. There are only a few wheelchair-accessible resident rooms (perhaps 5 in total).

Concerned about where to stay? 

Approximately 200 rooms on campus will be booked, with preference given to people with mobility challenges.

There will also be a block of rooms booked at the nearest hotel, which has a direct bus route to Orillia campus and is a 30-minute walk away/15 minutes by electric wheelchair. 

Sensitive to lighting?

Classrooms, hallways, dining room, and lecture rooms all have overhead, bright fluorescent lights.   

Residence Rooms have bright overhead lights and lamps in each room.  

Sensitive to scents?

Orillia campus is designated as a scent-free environment.  While this cannot be guaranteed, efforts are made to inform people on  campus to refrain from using products with scents.

Looking for gender neutral and/or accessible washrooms? 

Gender neutral and accessible washrooms are available in residence.

Gender-neutral and accessible washrooms will be marked by signage in the main buildings.

Concerns about Masking/Heath and Safety?

Orillia campus is not designated as a mask-required zone.  It is a public building and there is no ability to designate it as a masked zone (unless there is an active mandate in place).

Forum organizers acknowledge that creating safe space includes supporting people with compromised immunity and we strongly ask everyone with any concern of illness, no matter how small, to either not attend or to wear a well-fitting mask at all times that covers their nose, mouth and chin in all forum spaces.     

Sanitizer is available for participants at key locations (entrance to the academic area and food areas, throughout the building).

Information about Transportation 

How will I get to Orillia?
For folks flying into Toronto, there are options:
– from Pearson Airport to Union Station
– from Union Station by Go Bus or Train to Barrie
– transfer onto Northland buses that go right to the residence building.
 Link to Transportation Information
Cost?  $3.10 per ride – Need to pay exact amount – no change given.
Is the Orillia service accessible?  Yes, each bus has a ramp option.

 

There are three main accommodation options for Forum attendees: 

  1. Lakehead on-campus residence rooms — $65/person or $125/private suite
    A block of rooms in Lakehead’s student residences is available. A special $65.00 per night rate is available for a single unit (with shared bathroom with one other room) or $125.00 per night for private suite, between June 14 – June 20, 2026 (plus 4% MAT & 13% HST – if applicable). Click here to book these accommodations
  2. Comfort Inn Orillia (4km away/15 min bus) —$115/room: Attendees can get a special conference rate of $115 + HST for a single or double room. Please call the hotel directly at (705) 327-7744 and request the Common Ground Food Forum group block to make your reservation before May 1st. 
  3. Best Western Mariposa (4 km away/15 min bus) — $139/room: Attendees can get a special conference rate of $139 + HST for a room with two queen beds. Please call the hotel directly at 705-325-9511 and request the Common Ground Food Forum group block to make your reservation before May 15th. 

There are extra rooms that can be booked for meeting space, including Monday and Friday mornings, on either side of the formal program, as well as during the Forum.

To book a space to meet with others, please contact commonground@dal.ca at least 2 weeks ahead of the forum so it can be booked.

For those in on-site accommodations: Parking is included for one vehicle per reservation.
 
Visitors: A day pass is available for $6/day/vehicle.
 
Parking fees can be paid at a self-serve kiosk, or online with a QR code on the machine itself. 

The Forum ticket includes food and beverage offerings for breakfast and lunch on each day of the Forum. The Forum organizing team is working with Lakehead to offer breakfast and lunch options to suit a range of diets and, wherever possible, highlight local ingredients. Please complete this anonymous form by May 29th to help us estimate the prevalence of dietary restrictions and plan meals accordingly.  

In addition, two evening events are planned: an Evening Feast on Monday, June 15 (included in ticket price), and an off-campus social event organized by CAFS on Tuesday, June 16 (see the Registration tab for tickets). Participants are warmly invited to attend and enjoy these dinners together. Attendance at these evening events is optional. For those who choose not to participate, please note that dinner arrangements will be at your own discretion and expense.