News & Updates

In 2015 a group of public engagement professionals asked an important question - “what should IAP2 Canada be doing to help advance reconciliation and support Indigenous inclusion in public participation (P2) and engagement activities in the organization and in our profession?".

In late 2018, the IAP2 Canada Board of Directors approved an Indigenous Inclusion Action Plan. One of the identified activities was to develop a common foundation of understanding about the history and experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Canada within IAP2 Canada leadership so that IAP2 Canada can better participate in reconciliation by advancing Indigenous inclusion within the organization and throughout the practice of P2 in Canada.

Transformative change toward quality learning environments

Co-created with the late Sioux Elder Lloyd Ewinen and modelled on his interpretation of medicine wheel teachings, the Indigenous Awareness Learning Program was developed as a continuous and never-ending circle that goes beyond traditional learning practices to include four domains found in quality learning environments - spiritual (creativity), physical (health), intellectual (citizenship), and emotional (social-emotional).

The semi-structured, cohort-based learning program was initially developed for IAP2 Canada staff and members of the board; however, the program was made available to all P2 practitioners across Canada so they could better support Indigenous inclusion in their P2 and engagement activities.

How does the program work?

Participants are matched with a learning partner with experience working with Indigenous communities and placed into a cohort of no more than four people. Over the six-month duration of the program, participants engage in interactive and applied learning as they work through five assignments, each based on the quadrants of the traditional Medicine Wheel.

Measuring the impact of our 2022 cohort

The program's impact is measured using quantitative data, such as the number of participants and learning partners, and qualitative data, such as feedback surveys and observations including increasing the comfort level, knowledge, and awareness of participants.

In 2022 we had:

Feedback received in 2022 includes the following:

“I have committed to sharing knowledge and experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Canada as part of my own desire to advance Reconciliation efforts. This program was a fantastic way to deepen my practice and expand my personal learning journey with my learning cohort.”

“This program was both eye-opening and informative in a safe and supported forum. The design of the program allowed for access to excellent resources but more importantly, connected me with people across Canada looking to learn and improve our systems to better serve our communities and Indigenous, Metis and Inuit populations. It was humbling to realize how little I understood about the historical barriers and legacy that our society carries forward today with respect to Indigenous communities. This course was a wonderful first step on my journey for growth.”

“This program is unique in how it truly deepens your awareness and understanding of Indigenous nations. It is not just theoretical, as it allows to build real relationships with Indigenous stakeholders as part of the program.”

Interested in finding out more about the Indigenous Awareness Learning Program? Get started today!

By the IAP2 Canada Research Committee

This fourth and final installment of key findings from IAP2’s last State of the Practice survey shines a spotlight on the demographic profile of P2 practitioners who participated and shares some insights into how the face of the P2 practice may be changing.

P2 Practitioner Profile

Half (50%, up from 39% in 2017) of P2 practitioners who made their voices heard for this survey have been practitioners between 10 and 24 years. A little more than 40% have practiced in their field between 1 and 9 years.

The government sector represents more than three-quarters (77%) of P2 practitioner respondents’ primary type of involvement in P2; this is consistent with past results where 80% reported employment with a government body. The private sector represents less than a third (29%, up from 24% in 2017). P2 practitioners also continue to work in non-profit organizations and academic institutions.

P2 practitioners play various roles within the P2 practice. Members who responded to the survey heavily represented P2 specialists (62%), followed by facilitator (56%) and consultant (56%). Less than a third play the role of a planner (29%). This helps explain the continuing additional memberships respondents have in Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and the International Association of Facilitators (IAF). There is a noted rise in respondents with memberships in environment-related organisations including EcoCanada, Association Québécoise pour l’évaluation d’impacts (AQÉI) and various waste-related associations. Members are also involved with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) and International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

P2 practice is widely spread across a number of communities and industries. Most members who responded to the survey are typically involved in policy (64%) or land-use planning initiatives (64%). More than half of respondents are involved in community development (52%) and transportation (49%) projects. Fully one-third of respondents work with Indigenous communities. Other reported areas of focus include health, environment, education, affordable housing, waste, energy, and sustainability. A small number of respondents are involved in mining (12%) or human security and peacebuilding (12%) initiatives. While similar to results from prior surveying, there is less concentration of activity in community development, energy and mining in this most recent survey.

The majority of P2 practitioners who participated in the survey come from Alberta (38%), followed by British Columbia (32%), however, participation also came from every province in Canada, the Northwest Territories, and an international respondent.

Overall participation was half of that of the previous survey. Ninety-three percent (93%) of respondents are IAP2 members (it was 89% in 2017). We anticipate this reflects a COVID-19 impact as the survey was released early during the global pandemic. This survey has highlighted the much has changed as a result of COVID-19. In response to these changes, the surveys IAP2 Canada conducts will also be changing to ensure the information gathered from practitioners provides insights of value in return.

Perspectives on Effectiveness of P2 Process

Practitioner perspectives on the effectiveness of the P2 process has evolved in the last few years, perhaps demonstrating a deepening in the practice as more practitioners are taking advantage of IAP2 training, and a widening of scope more evening across various community and industry domains.

The majority (98%) of respondents agree P2 brings value to a process (the remaining 2% holding a neutral stance). Eighty-nine percent (89%, down from 94%) believe P2 benefits outweigh its cost and 11% feel neutral. Unlike the 2017 survey, no one identified that costs outweigh benefits. Sixty-three percent (63%, up from 58% in 2017) are feeling that P2 is a costly process. Eleven percent (11%) disagree, however.

This may be attributable to the wide variety of benefits identified through survey responses:

• All respondents (100%) find P2 is being used to assist organizations with decision making;
• 96% (up from 89% in 2017) see benefits in using P2 to extract local knowledge to understand issues and concerns;
• 80% (consistent with 2017) believe P2 is being used to enhance support for a project;
• 78% (consistent with 2017) see social media and online tools increasing the effectiveness of the P2 process;
• 76% (up from 71%) agree the public perceives P2 to be a valuable process;
• 65% are seeing P2 contribute effectively to processes it is embedded within (such as Environmental Assessments); and
• Some (42%, up from 34%) are observing P2 used to directly assist organizations with decision-making.

The question of value, in comparison to costs, is one that rises often for practitioners of P2. The IAP2 Research Committee are interested in studying the ‘returns’ possible through P2 and hosted a workshop at the North American Conference in Banff to begin exploring the topic. It is our hope that a clear, succinct and evidence-based analysis of benefits will demonstrate what many practitioners already know -- P2 is a value-creating activity.

We are proud to recognize organizations and individuals who have gone above and beyond in their public participation and engagement activities through the annual IAP2 Canada Core Values Awards - celebrating those who exemplify excellence, quality and innovation.

Help us spread the word!

Why apply for the Core Values Awards?

   Showcase your impact
   Spotlight your creativity
   Stand out against competitors
   Build more influence in the industry
   Attract potential clients and partnerships
   Celebrate your team

The award categories

• Visual Engagement Award
• Organization of the Year Award
• Research Award
• Extending the Practice through Creativity, Contribution and Innovation in the Field Award
• Indigenous Engagement Award
• Respect for Diversity, Inclusion and Culture

View the details

How to apply!

A registration fee of $100 is required for each application. The fee is in place to cover the costs of program administration. However, please let us know if this is a problem because we do not want it to be a deterrent to applying. You can pay online through the IAP2 Canada website - details are in the submission package below.

Access the 2023 Submission Package

Help us spread the word!

We’d love your help getting the word out about the 2023 IAP2 Canada Core Values Awards. We encourage you share this post with your colleagues and peers!

Below you’ll find resources to help let your colleagues and peers know about the 2023 Awards including how to apply, videos, and social updates.

Videos

You can share the following videos we posted on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

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Catherine Rockandel, IAP2 Canada

March 2023

In case someone didn’t say it this month, you – the members, volunteers, trainers are the heart of IAP2 Canada. Without you, IAP2 Canada could not advance excellence in the practice, impact and the value of public engagement across Canada. As President, I am grateful for the friendships, the commitment and the dedication that you continue to contribute.

Undertaking and implementing organizational change

As we all know, organizational change and transformation can be very challenging – especially when we have limited resources as a small, not-for-profit association. Since onboarding our new Executive Director, Valoree McKay, in November 2021 we’ve had some consistent wins while we work to address some organizational challenges including staff capacity, outdated or ineffective operational systems, as well as the launching of the Certificate in Public Participation and learning pathway for the new globally harmonized training. 

The Operational team has shared that they have received positive feedback on some of the changes implemented in the past few months. I want to thank our members, trainers, volunteers, and chapters for reaching out and sharing frustrations, concerns, and ideas on how we can continue to improve. The Board has taken this input seriously and strategized new approaches with our Executive Director, Valoree McKay. We’ve had to make some difficult decisions to manage competing priorities and focus our resources, and we appreciate your patience and support.

While the transitions can sometimes seem overwhelming, we’re optimistic about the positive impact of implementing some new initiatives, including:

• updating our Strategic Plan to clarify several of the strategic objectives and extending the plan to 2024 ensure several activities underway can be successfully completed

• investing in new automated systems to improve everything from financial management, information management including databases and learning management systems to support training programs

• hiring an Association Management firm with a team of three to support administration with the intention of improving member, trainer, and volunteer experiences

• hiring new staff including Claudia Sighomnou, Manager of Professional Development and Training and Sarah Alvarado (contract) who has been updating the website, marketing, and communications materials

• ensuring continuation of the CP3 professional designation as the gold standard, with new updates and integration with our new learning system

Leading Change Through Collaboration 

As a result of a collaborative effort with our Executive Director Valoree McKay, International representative Jane Newlands, and myself we were able to secure $40,000 in funding from IAP2 International to support French translation of the new globally harmonized training. We are very grateful to the International Board for their support!

Most recently, I virtually attended two full days of meetings with the International Board to strategize new approaches for improving processes and communications between the regions and the IAP2 International body. We look forward to sharing the recommendations that emerge from these meetings over the coming months.

Join Our Board of Directors

The Nominations and Elections Committee is preparing for the upcoming AGM and Board elections in June. If you are interested in learning more about serving on the Board, please reach out. The Board of Directors is a great team that works well together and the future is bright! We hope that you will consider joining us.

Image caption: Virtual What Matters to Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) Patient Partners in Culturally Safe Engagements Circle, June 17, 2021

Award category: Indigenous Engagement, IAP2 Canada Core Values Awards 2022

Source: Culturally Safe Engagement: What Matters to Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) Patient Partners

Recipient: BC Patient Safety & Quality Council

How do we know when we’ve achieved cultural safety? When both sides leave feeling content.

This is one answer shared as the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council met with Indigenous patient partners to develop resources about culturally safe patient engagement. It was co-created with Indigenous patient partners based on conversations at an event in June 2021.

The event was co-designed and co-facilitated by First Nations patient partner, the late Gitxsan Hereditary Chief Sim’oogit Ma’os, Bill Blackwater Jr., Tammy Hoefer, Director of Patient & Public Engagement and Cathy Almost, Engagement Leader. Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) patient partners were asked what mattered to them when participating in culturally safe patient engagement opportunities. Health care partners were invited to attend as witnesses to the patient partners’ stories by being compassionate and silent observers, giving attention to others without judgement and providing a space for partners to speak their truth.

It was held in celebration of International “What Matters to You?” Day in British Columbia.

When providers have a conversation about what really matters to the people they care for, it helps ensure that care is aligned with patient preferences, builds trusting relationships between patients, families and their health care providers, and advances person- and family-centred care.

Following the event, discussion notes were themed, and eight key principles emerged:

• Awareness & Understanding
• Learning & Education
• Build Relationships
• Prepare
• Kindness & Empathy
• Respect
• Value
• Listen

Themes were developed into key messages, recommendations, and actions. The actions listed come from some suggestions made by the patient partners, but mostly from the lived experience and learnings of Cathy Almost on her journey of self discovery. Cathy would like to give credit to Verna Howard, Gitxsan, Cherie Mercer, Nisga’a, Victoria English, Blackfoot, Edna Leask, Selkirk, Donna Simon, Métis, Sheila Dick, Secwepemc and Mark Matthew, Secwepemc for their generosity in sharing their knowledge about living an Indigenous life and how to engage Indigenous voices in a good way. 

Bert Azak, a Nisga’a graphic designer, contributed his artwork and designed two resources: an at-a-glance document which summarizes the principles, and a companion guide which provides further details about the conversation that took place during this event. These resources represent a moment in time when 13 patient partners gave their opinions about culturally safe patient engagement.

Read the Companion Guide

View the Pamphlet

Over the past few months, the IAP2 Canada team has continued to work on enhancing marketing and communications, launching new training and professional development, and improving our administrative processes. Our goals include strengthening and increasing awareness of the IAP2 Canada brand as the leading public participation and engagement organization, promoting best practices and the value of effective P2 to decision makers, and enhancing the digital transformation strategy to improve communications and learning systems so we can attract new business and partnerships to IAP2 Canada. View the updated Strategic Plan 2021-2024.

A few things we are currently working on to support these strategic goals include:

• implementing a new LMS system to improve efficiency, communication, and the overall user experience for our training and professional development services

• onboarding a new Association Management firm with a team of three people to support administration with the intention of improving member, trainer, and volunteer experiences

• enhancing our brand presence by updating web page design and content on the current website to make it more user and SEO friendly, changing the sitemap so information is easier to find, and enhancing our social media presence

• working toward a bilingual website in 2023 to better support our Francophone audience

• researching new website and membership platforms, for potential implementation in 2024-2025, that have more capabilities and updated features including better design, mobile responsiveness, accessibility, SEO tools, plugins, and integrations

• streamlining and updating our regular emails, including:

• • monthly “P2 Insights & Updates” email that provides timely, relevant updates about IAP2 Canada happenings

  • twice monthly “Upcoming P2 Training Opportunities” email keeping our audience informed of training and professional development scheduled for the upcoming 2-month period

  • new “Quarterly Connections” email that highlights relevant articles, successes, tips, tools, and resources to help support your public participation and engagement activities

If you have questions about any of these, or other IAP2 Canada initiatives, please get in touch at info@iap2canada.ca.

Decisions that impact the public should not be made in isolation. Public participation is about engaging with the public during the decision-making process, benefiting from their diverse range of ideas, views, and concerns, and using that information to make better decisions.

Here are 6 reasons to enroll in IAP2 Canada’s Certificate in Public Participation.

1. Broaden your spectrum of understanding and provide current and practical tools for meaningful and effective public participation.

2. Enhance your professional credibility and open up new career opportunities in the field of public participation. 

3. Bringing a new level of expertise to your organization and improving the quality of your public engagement initiatives.

4. Learn how to increase engagement and inclusion for all people including racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, and other groups who are more likely to be overlooked, identifying a wide range of ideas, views and concerns.

5. Engage in better decision-making that reflects public interests and values making it easier to communicate, implement, and understand the process, decisions, and impact.

6. Build capacity for collaborative decision-making over the long-term by improving relationships and increasing trust between decision-makers and the public.

What’s different about IAP2 Canada’s NEW Certificate in Public Participation? 

IAP2 Canada’s Certificate in Public Participation builds on the foundations of public participation training and best practices from around the globe to provide participants with approximately 30 hours of specialized training in public participation and engagement.

We’ve taken the best of stakeholder and engagement training from around the globe to create the new certificate program. The training explores best practices, how to design meaningful public participation and engagement, and how to apply this knowledge in your work.

Who should participate?

P2 practitioners are a diverse community of professionals, citizens, academics, and decision-makers who are committed to involving the public in decisions that affect them. 

The IAP2 Hosted Certificate in Public Participation course bundle is recommended for:

• New and emerging practitioners beginning their journey in public participation and engagement

• Experienced P2 professionals, as a way to demonstrate your commitment to best practices and ethical standards in public engagement.

• Anyone involved in engagement projects in all levels of government, private industry, utilities, environmental agencies, community organizations, not-for-profit and education providers who would like to understand and deliver meaningful engagement in a Canadian context.

Find out more!

Communities of Practice are groups of people who share a common interest, set of ideas, or concerns and come together to support each other, interact, and learn together.

These communities are a great way to meet others working in public participation and engagement, extend your networks, learn from others in your profession, and share ideas and issues. Members can share resources, experiences, stories and tools and build their skills and knowledge in their particular industry.

At IAP2 Canada, we currently have 4 communities of practice available to our members:

• Equity, Diversity, Inclusion

• Indigenous Engagement

• North American Energy Sector

• Young Professionals Network

Many engagement practitioners work alone or in small groups, so these groups can provide members with valuable encouragement, support, development, and a sounding board.

Find out more!

Decisions that impact the public should not be made in isolation. Public participation is about engaging with the public during the decision-making process, benefiting from their diverse range of ideas, views, and concerns, and using that information to make better decisions. 

IAP2 Canada’s Certificate in Public Participation builds on the foundations of public participation training and best practices from around the globe to provide participants with approximately 30 hours of specialized training in public participation and engagement.

Why should you participate?

1. Broaden your spectrum of understanding and provide current and practical tools for meaningful and effective public participation.

2. Enhance your professional credibility and open up new career opportunities in the field of public participation. 

3. Bringing a new level of expertise to your organization and improving the quality of your public engagement initiatives.

4. Learn how to increase engagement and inclusion for all people including racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, and other groups who are more likely to be overlooked, identifying a wide range of ideas, views and concerns.

5. Engage in better decision-making that reflects public interests and values making it easier to communicate, implement, and understand the process, decisions, and impact.

6. Build capacity for collaborative decision-making over the long-term by improving relationships and increasing trust between decision-makers and the public.

Who should participate?

P2 practitioners are a diverse community of professionals, citizens, academics, and decision-makers who are committed to involving the public in decisions that affect them. 

The IAP2 Hosted Certificate in Public Participation course bundle is suitable for:

• New and emerging practitioners beginning their journey in public participation and engagement

• Experienced P2 professionals, as a way to demonstrate your commitment to best practices and ethical standards in public engagement.

• Anyone involved in engagement projects in all levels of government, private industry, utilities, environmental agencies, community organisations, not-for-profit and education providers who would like  to understand and deliver meaningful engagement in a Canadian context.

Upcoming core training courses hosted by IAP2 Canada

We’ve created the following options for IAP2 hosted training opportunities to allow for flexibility of schedule and the level of our learners.

IAP2 Hosted - Certificate in Public Participation Course Bundle - for Level 1 Practitioners  

• March 21, 2023 – April 14, 2023
• Early bird deadline is March 14, 2023

We recommend the IAP2 Hosted Certificate in Public Participation (for Level 1 practitioners) course bundle for:

• New practitioners beginning their journey in public participation and engagement

• Anyone involved in engagement projects, who wants to understand and apply the fundamentals of meaningful and effective public participation and engagement

Not yet ready to pursue the certificate program as a bundle? 

IAP2 Canada hosted courses are also offered individually throughout the year. Our upcoming core courses include:

IAP2 Hosted - Fundamentals of P2 and Engagement 

• March 21 & 22, 2023
• Early bird deadline is March 14, 2023

IAP2 Way in Challenging Contexts 

• April 4 & 5, 2023
• Early bird deadline is March 14, 2023

Designing P2 and Engagement

• March 27-30, 2023
• Early bird deadline is March 14, 2023

Applying Methods

• April 17-20, 2023
• Early bird deadline is March 22, 2023

If you're not sure where to start your learning journey for the IAP2 Canada Certificate in Public Participation, take a look at our learning pathways.

View all upcoming training

Did you know you can still register to access more than 35 on-demand sessions at your own pace through the 2022 IAP2 North American Conference (NAC) Digital Experience? 

The 2022 IAP2 NAC offered 3 days of live programming during the in-person conference that featured sessions by thought leaders from across the public participation and engagement landscape. 

Get ready to expand your skill set, gain insights and spark inspiration in your public participation and engagement practice.

Member Pricing

$400 plus taxes

Non-Member Pricing

$550 plus taxes

Did you attend the 2022 NAC in person?

Don't forget! All in-person full-conference registrants have on-demand access to the conference recordings with their registration.  

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