Canadian Association of Gastroenterology

What Canadian Association of Gastroenterology does

The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) is a national professional medical association founded in 1962 and headquartered in Oakville, Ontario. It serves Canadian gastroenterologists, trainees, nurses, allied health professionals, and biomedical scientists through a vertically integrated portfolio that includes the Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (JCAG), a peer-reviewed open-access journal published in partnership with Oxford University Press; the annual Canadian Digestive Diseases Week (CDDW) conference (celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026 in Toronto, with 40+ sessions); the award-winning SEE Program for accredited endoscopy skills training (including Colonoscopy Skills Improvement courses at $1,250–$2,800 CAD); the TRIANGLE research funding program supporting postdoctoral, doctoral, and Early Career Researcher awards; the GI-MAP mentorship program; and 11+ institutional recognition awards. The organization also publishes evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines using GRADE methodology, with its Upper GI Bleeding guideline formally endorsed by ASGE, AGA, ESGE, SIED, and WEO, and operates multiple Special Interest Groups covering AI, Intestinal Ultrasound, CanSCCRN, CNN, ESD, and Nutrition.

CAG's underlying technology consists of standard professional association infrastructure: a website (cag-acg.org) relaunched in September 2024, the MyCAG member portal, webinar and event management systems, and a job board — there is no proprietary AI or platform technology disclosed. Revenue is generated through a mix of subscription-based membership fees (Regular, Trainee, Affiliate tiers), transaction-based conference and course fees, journal publishing via Oxford University Press, and corporate sponsorship from at least eight pharmaceutical partners (AbbVie, J&J, Pfizer, Takeda, Amgen, Ferring, Pendopharm, Tillotts) for co-developed educational programming. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led by CEO Stuart Johnston, operates as a registered charity, and is PIPEDA-compliant.

The association is currently navigating two material strategic transitions: a near-doubling of Regular membership fees effective January 1, 2026, and the conclusion of its long-standing joint CDDW-CLM conference partnership with CASL after the 2026 meeting, with CDDW 2027 shifting to a single-topic conference format in Vancouver. Forward initiatives include a phased French language integration plan, expansion of CPD programming (GI Cancer Masterclass, Crohn's Disease Compass, Advancing Liver Health), and active health-system policy advocacy including endorsement of campaigns to end 'fail first' policies in IBD care and lower CRC screening age.

Name

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology

Legal name

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology

Website

https://cag-acg.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology is a national professional medical association founded in 1962 that serves Canadian gastroenterologists, trainees, nurses, and biomedical scientists through membership, the JCAG peer-reviewed journal, the CDDW annual conference, accredited endoscopy training, research funding, and clinical practice guidelines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Medical Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAKAEAA

General Gastroenterology

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Specialist Medical Practice/Gastroenterology & Hepatology

SECONDARYHLAKAEAL

Liver & GI Clinical Research (Trials Centers)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Specialist Medical Practice/Gastroenterology & Hepatology

SECONDARYEDAGAGAA

Medical & Clinical Reference (Physicians, Nursing, Allied Health)

Education/Educational Publishing & Learning Content/Professional & Technical Reference Publishing

Keywords

• Professional medical association
• Gastroenterology education
• Medical journal publishing
• Continuing medical education
• Clinical practice guidelines

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakville

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual and multi-year membership fees from physicians, nurses, health professionals, and biomedical scientists. Regular membership at $290/year or $1,250 for 3 years; Trainee membership at $50/year; Affiliate membership at $300/year. Fee increase effective January 2026 to $575/year or $1,500 for 3 years for Regular membership.
2. Conference and Event Registration: Revenue from CDDW and other educational events including registration fees, sponsorships, and exhibitor fees
3. Education Programs: Revenue from SEE Program courses including Colonoscopy Skills Improvement courses, registration fees, and member/non-member pricing
4. Corporate Sponsorship: Funding from pharmaceutical companies for co-developed educational programs, webinars, and resources

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology is a nonprofit professional association that delivers membership services, accredited continuing education, peer-reviewed scientific publishing, and research funding to gastroenterology professionals in Canada. Its core offerings include the JCAG open-access journal, the annual CDDW conference, the SEE endoscopy training program, the TRIANGLE research training program, and a suite of clinical practice guidelines and CPD courses.

Product overview

The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology operates a comprehensive portfolio of products and programs for gastroenterology professionals across Canada. The core offerings include JCAG (a peer-reviewed journal with Impact Factor 3.8), CDDW (the premier annual conference celebrating its 30th anniversary), and the SEE Program (accredited endoscopy training). Research capacity is built through TRIANGLE Program awards, GI-MAP mentorship, and various funding opportunities. Education is delivered via the CAG Podcast, Webinar Program, IBD Update slide library, and Clinical Practice Guidelines. Trainee support includes the GRIT Course, Scholars' Program, and JCAG Editorial Fellowship. The organization also offers recognition awards, visiting professorships, and quality improvement tools (C-GRS, IBD-GRS) for the GI community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CDDW: Canadian Digestive Diseases Week - the premier annual conference for gastroenterology and hepatology professionals in Canada, celebrating 30th anniversary in 2026
• JCAG
• SEE Program
• TRIANGLE Program
• GI-MAP
• GI WOMEN CAN

Products and services

• CAG Membership Annual and multi-year professional membership subscriptions for physicians, nurses, health professionals, and biomedical scientists, providing access to JCAG, education programs, CDDW, awards, and networking.
• JCAG (Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology)

Quantifiable outcome

• JCAG Impact Factor improved from 2.7 (2024) to 3.8 (2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver (CASL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026Partnership for joint CDDW-CLM conference concluded after 2026 meeting. CDDW and CASL will continue collaborating through meaningful liver-focused programming within CDDW and other initiatives. CDDW 2027 will be a single-topic conference in Vancouver.
• Crohn's & Colitis CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025CAG endorsed Crohn's & Colitis Canada's national campaign to end harmful 'fail first' policies that delay access to effective treatments for people living with IBD. CAG submitted letters of support to Ontario and Nova Scotia governments advocating for policy change.
• Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDHF is CAG's charitable partner, hosting RISEUp for Digestive Health cycling fundraiser and supporting patient-focused research and educational campaigns through CAG. Jointly promote digestive health initiatives.
• Canadian Bowel Ultrasound Group (CANBUS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAG and CANBUS collaborating on national survey to understand current adoption, training pathways, clinical implementation, and future training needs related to intestinal ultrasound (IUS) in IBD care.
• American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASGE formally endorsed CAG's Clinical Practice Guideline for Endoscopic Management of Nonvariceal, Nonpeptic Ulcer Upper GI Bleeding. ASGE and CAG collaborating on Sustainability Indicators for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy publication.
• American Gastroenterological Association (AGA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGA formally endorsed CAG's Clinical Practice Guideline for Endoscopic Management of Nonvariceal, Nonpeptic Ulcer Upper GI Bleeding.
• European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerESGE formally endorsed CAG's Clinical Practice Guideline for Endoscopic Management of Nonvariceal, Nonpeptic Ulcer Upper GI Bleeding.
• Sociedad Interamericana de Endoscopía Digestiva (SIED)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIED formally endorsed CAG's Clinical Practice Guideline for Endoscopic Management of Nonvariceal, Nonpeptic Ulcer Upper GI Bleeding.
• World Endoscopy Organization (WEO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWEO formally endorsed CAG's Clinical Practice Guideline for Endoscopic Management of Nonvariceal, Nonpeptic Ulcer Upper GI Bleeding.
• Planetair CanadaminorOthersPlanetair certified that 25 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent were offset through Gold Standard-certified projects for the 2025 CDDW-CLM Conference. CAG donated $750 funded by delegate contributions at registration.
• Colorectal Cancer CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAG acknowledged Colorectal Cancer Canada's continued advocacy and leadership in helping advance earlier access to CRC screening. Ontario lowered CRC screening age to 45.
• Canadian Cancer SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAG acknowledged Canadian Cancer Society's continued advocacy and leadership in helping advance earlier access to CRC screening alongside Colorectal Cancer Canada.
• AbbVie CorporationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-developed IBD Update slide library program (UEGW 2024, DDW 2024, ECCO 2024) and DDW 2025 webinar. Multiple co-developed educational programs.
• J&J Innovative MedicineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-developed IBD Update slide library and educational webinars including DDW 2025 IBD Update webinar.
• Pfizer CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-developed IBD Update educational programs and slide libraries from major conferences.
• Takeda CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-developed IBD Update programs, celiac disease training course, and multiple educational initiatives.
• AmgenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-developed ECCO 2025 slide library program for IBD education.
• FerringminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-developed ECCO 2025 slide library program for IBD education.
• PendopharmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-developed ECCO 2025 slide library and DDW 2025 IBD Update webinar programs.
• Tillotts PharmaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner with Pendopharm for DDW 2025 IBD Update webinar program.
• McMaster University (McMaster Celiac Clinic, Farncombe Institute)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcMaster University offering free online celiac disease training course supported by experts at McMaster Celiac Clinic and Farncombe Institute, with educational grant from Takeda Americas. CAG promotes the course to members.
• Oxford University PressmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOxford University Press publishes the Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (JCAG), CAG's official peer-reviewed journal.
• Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (CSACI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSACI co-published the first Canadian consensus statement on eosinophilic esophagitis diagnosis and management in JCAG alongside CAG.
• Canadian Medical Association (CMA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAG supports CMA's initiatives on healthcare access, physician leadership opportunities, and all-party priority for healthcare. CAG members encouraged to apply for CMA Board and committee positions.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE): U.S. specialty society focused on GI endoscopy. ASGE is a peer through CAG's SEE Program (endoscopy training) and the recent cross-society guideline endorsement, sharing membership composition (procedural gastroenterologists) and education program focus.
• European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE): European counterpart to ASGE focused on GI endoscopy standards, training, and guidelines. ESGE is a peer through CAG's endoscopy training (SEE) and guideline work, with whom CAG has a formal endorsement relationship.
• United European Gastroenterology (UEG): Pan-European umbrella for GI societies running UEG Week and a portfolio of specialty journals. Comparable to CAG as a multi-national society serving practicing GI physicians with research, education, and guideline development mandates.
• American Gastroenterological Association (AGA): The U.S. national professional association for gastroenterology. AGA is the most direct international peer to CAG, operating a peer-reviewed journal (Gastroenterology), annual meeting (DDW), clinical guidelines, and member education programs for a comparable physician constituency.
• American College of Gastroenterology (ACG): U.S.-based college for GI clinicians with a comparable membership model, clinical journal (AJG), annual meeting, and continuing education focus. ACG overlaps heavily with CAG in member profile (practicing gastroenterologists) and program mix.
• British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG): The UK's national gastroenterology society. BSG is a close international peer offering a peer-reviewed journal (Gut), annual conference, clinical guidelines, and research grants - structurally similar to CAG's JCAG/CDDW/guidelines model.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Medical Association (CMA): Canada's national medical association representing all physicians. CMA is a broad incumbent peer in that CAG is a CMA-affiliated specialty society, sharing advocacy, policy, and member-benefit infrastructure relevant to the same Canadian physician base.
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: National credentialing body that has accredited CAG's CPD programs and awarded the SEE Program its 2016 Innovation Award. A broad-incumbent peer in physician specialty training, accreditation, and continuing professional development oversight.

Regional players

• Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver (CASL): Canada's hepatology-focused medical society, formerly CAG's joint-conference partner (CDDW-CLM). A regional peer serving an overlapping clinician base with liver-focused research, education, and policy work, but now a partner rather than direct competitor.

Others

• Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF): CAG's charitable partner and Canada-based digestive-health foundation running the RISEUp cycling fundraiser and patient-education campaigns. Adjacent, enabling peer (charity/patient-advocacy) rather than a direct professional-society competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cangastroassn
• Facebookfacebook.com/canadianassociationofgastroenterology
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/canadian-association-of-gastroenterology

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Canadian Association of Gastroenterology