November 4, 2026 – The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and the Provincial and Territorial Planning Institutes of Canada are pleased to announce the adoption of a new National Model of Ethical Standards, effective January 1, 2027.
The Professional Standards Board, established by CIP and the PTIAs to oversee the accreditation and certification process for the planning profession in Canada, developed recommendations to update the model standards. These new national standards modernize the principles and professional expectations that guide ethical planning practice and will increase consistency and labour mobility across Canada.
Updates to the National Model of Ethical Standards include:
- More clearly defined responsibility to the public;
- Specific expectations around engaging with Indigenous communities;
- Greater emphasis on professional judgment and independence;
- Clearer expectations around conflicts of interest and improper influence; and
- Responsibility and transparency around technology like artificial intelligence.
Professional planning in Canada is regulated at the provincial and territorial level; therefore, each province or territory may adopt variances to the national model to align with local legislative, regulatory, or legal requirements. Planners and interest-holders should consult their Provincial and Territorial Institute or Association (PTIA)’s updated Professional Codes of Conduct & Ethics to understand how the changes apply in their jurisdiction and may impact professional practice.
Quotes:
“Planners shape the communities we live in every day, often in ways we don’t even see. These new national standards modernize the principles and values that guide ethical planning practice in Canada and our commitment to serving the public good. The updated standards will provide the professional guidance needed for planners to continue to build strong, resilient communities for generations to come.”
Lesley Cabott RPP, FCIP, ICD D
President, Canadian Institute of Planners
Contact:
Deborah Morrison (she/her/elle)
Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP)
ceo@cip-icu.ca
About the Canadian Institute of Planners
The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) works on behalf of over 10,000 diverse planning professionals 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.