Ottawa, ON – October 27, 2021

The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) is pleased to announce the findings of its Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Insight Survey, which looked at our members’ experiences and opinions on inclusion and belonging, as well as current demographic information of the Canadian planning profession. The questions focused on the five key constructs of inclusion and inclusive environments: belonging, fairness, support, voice, and leadership commitment. The survey was conducted in May 2021 and included the participation of all Provincial and Territorial Institutes and Associations.

“The findings of the survey are an important benchmark and call to action, deserving of consideration from across the profession,” reflected Dan Huang RPP, MCIP, and CIP President. “We now have metrics that will help focus our actions, which in turn will ensure that our profession is increasingly reflective of the diverse communities which it serves.”

Building on the commitments laid out in the CIP Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Roadmap, the findings of the Insight Survey demonstrate that there are specific areas of strength in our profession, as well as areas that require attention. A number of key insights emerged from the survey data, including the following: “The profession lacks diversity in certain diversity dimensions”; “Certain marginalized groups scored low on the Inclusion Index”; “ There is less racial diversity in higher seniority levels”; and “Racial diversity increases in younger generations”. Overall, the planning profession reported an average overall score on the Inclusion Index compared with other organizations; however, further analysis highlights significant gaps in the Inclusion Index between generations as well as amongst seniority levels. CIP scored higher on planners’ perception of the commitment to EDI, with opportunities for additional training and resources and creating a space to engage in conversations about diversity and inclusion.

 “When the Roadmap was approved in 2020, we made a very conscious decision to implement it at every level of the Institute,” said Beth McMahon, Chief Executive Officer. “As a result, we have made some significant changes to date, and more are forthcoming; however, the findings of the EDI Insight Survey really show us how much more needs to be done – especially to support the next generation of planners.”

The CIP Board will be including the findings of the EDI Insight Survey in its strategic planning process, scheduled for review in late November 2021.

About the Canadian Institute of Planners
The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) works on behalf of over 7,500 planning professionals nationally and has served as the voice of Canada’s planning community since 1919. Planners safeguard the health and well-being of urban and rural communities, by addressing the use of land, resources, facilities, and services with consideration to physical, economic, and social efficiency.

Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Roadmap
In 2018, the CIP Board of Directors identified social equity as a policy priority, and engaged one of Canada’s leading consultants in EDI, HRx. In 2020, CIP released its Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Roadmap, which focused CIP’s aspiration to be a trusted voice on EDI for the planning profession through three key areas: representing the diversity of CIP’s members in the organization’s leadership; supporting inclusive workplaces for planning professionals; and advocating for social equity and inclusion in planning.

Learn more about CIP and the role of planners at www.cip-icu.ca.

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Media Contact:
Lori Barron-Munteanu
Manager, Communications
communications@cip-icu.ca
T: 613.237.7526 x 507 │ 800.207.2138 x 507