The Canadian planning profession has an ethical responsibility to work for the public good. Applying an equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) lens to all levels of planning practice is required to confront and address systemic racism and discrimination in the governance systems, practices, and policies that planners implement, create, and influence.

In 2018, CIP identified social equity as one of five policy priorities, and since then, the Institute has taken steps to achieve its aspiration of being a trusted voice in EDI. Following several months of research and consultation, CIP's Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Roadmap was approved in June 2020 to provide a structured, measurable, and systematic approach to embed EDI into the Institute and across the planning profession.

In October 2021, CIP then released the findings of its Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Insights Survey, which looked at 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.