Public participation is constantly evolving and we want to understand how.

The 2025 IAP2 Canada State of the Practice Survey explores what’s working, what’s shifting, and what’s needed next in engagement across Canada. Whether you’re new to the field or have decades of experience, your perspective matters.

Your responses will help shape future IAP2 Canada articles, webinars, and conversations that reflect the real work practitioners are doing every day. Grab a cup of something cozy and take 10–12 minutes to share your experience!

The survey closes December 7, 2025 (midnight local time).

Take the survey here

What is this survey about?

The 2025 IAP2 Canada State of the Practice Survey explores how public participation and engagement are evolving across the country – what’s working, what’s shifting, and what’s needed next.

Your responses will help IAP2 Canada and the Research Committee create articles, webinars, and conversations that reflect the real experiences of practitioners doing this work every day.

Who’s involved?

This survey is being coordinated by the IAP2 Canada Research Committee and distributed through IAP2 Canada’s national and regional networks.

We’re inviting public participation and engagement practitioners across Canada – including government staff, consultants, community organizers, and academics – to share their experiences and insights.

Why does this matter?

Public participation is always changing – from how we reach people to how we build trust and inclusion. By gathering stories and data from across the country, we can better understand the realities and innovations shaping our field and help practitioners learn from one another.

MEDIA STORY

BC Transit has earned the 2025 IAP2 Canada Core Values Award for Visual Engagement, recognizing its creative and accessible approach to public participation. The award acknowledges how BC Transit has transformed engagement through clear, visual communication that connects directly with communities.

As a provincial Crown agency, BC Transit provides public transportation to more than 130 communities across British Columbia. The handyDART service in particular stood out for its visual tools that helped participants understand and shape service improvements for people with disabilities.

“Winning this IAP2 award recognizes both BC Transit’s commitment to public engagement and the community’s passion and dedication to having local perspectives reflected in transit projects,” said Erinn Pinkerton, President and CEO of BC Transit. “The handyDART project has become an example for how BC Transit can work in partnership with the community and confirms that meaningful public engagement is the foundation of success.”

The project has since become a model for how accessibility and engagement can work hand in hand. It shows how listening, visual storytelling and collaboration can create services that reflect the needs of everyone in the community.

IAP2 Canada congratulates BC Transit on this recognition and its commitment to making engagement open, inclusive and understandable for all residents.

For media inquiries, please contact info@iap2canada.ca

MEDIA STORY

Urban Strategies Inc. has been recognized by IAP2 Canada with the 2025 Core Values Award for Respect for Diversity, Inclusion and Culture. The award celebrates organizations that make space for diverse voices and build engagement processes that reflect the communities they serve.

The Toronto, Hamilton and Vancouver-based firm has built its reputation on meaningful collaboration. Urban Strategies brings together planners, designers and community partners to find creative ways to shape better cities. The company’s work balances design and participation, bringing forward solutions that respect both place and people.

“While Urban Strategies was critical to the success of JFM+, it would not have been possible without the dedication of the Engagement Leadership Team and more than fifteen Community Animators representing a cross-section of the local community. We deeply thank this local engagement team and the many participants who were incredibly generous, passionate and constructive with their contributions,” shared the Urban Strategies team.

Through projects like JFM+, the firm continues to model engagement that is grounded in inclusion, transparency and respect for culture and place. This recognition from IAP2 Canada highlights their dedication to authentic, community-led collaboration.

IAP2 Canada’s Core Values Awards honour the organizations and practitioners who raise the standard for public participation across the country.

For media inquiries, please contact info@iap2canada.ca

MEDIA STORY

The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) has received three honours from IAP2 Canada: the Indigenous Engagement Award, the Creativity, Contribution and Innovation in the Field Award, and the Project of the Year Award. These awards recognize the Nation’s groundbreaking work on the Úxwumixw 2050: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Generational Plan.

The plan was created as a long-term vision rooted in the values, history and future aspirations of the Squamish People. It represents a generational approach to planning that blends traditional knowledge with modern tools to guide governance, community development and self-determination.

“We are so proud of our Úxwumixw 2050: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Generational Plan. In the words of our Council Chair, Khelsilem, this plan is more than a document. It is a legacy rooted in our values, aspirations and commitment to collective progress and empowerment of our People for generations to come,” said Ruby Carrico, Planning Manager, Squamish Nation.

With more than 4,100 members, the Squamish Nation continues to lead through innovation and community-based planning. The Nation’s work demonstrates the power of engagement that is driven by culture, respect and sovereignty.

IAP2 Canada is proud to honour the Squamish Nation for its leadership in building meaningful, inclusive and generational engagement across its territory.

For media inquiries, please contact info@iap2canada.ca

MEDIA STORY

The City of Edmonton has been named IAP2 Canada’s 2025 Organization of the Year. The award celebrates the city’s commitment to building a culture where public participation is part of everyday decision-making.

Edmonton is one of Canada’s youngest and fastest-growing cities, home to more than one million people who speak over 125 languages. The City delivers more than 300 programs and services, touching nearly every aspect of community life. Public engagement is not just a program within the organization but a mindset shared by every department and team.

“This award belongs to all Edmontonians, who have shared their diverse voices. Edmonton is a great place to live, work and play. A cornerstone to shaping our city has been the City's past and present dedicated engagement professionals who lead with purpose and passion. Thank you, IAP2 Canada for recognizing Edmonton's collective dedication to enabling a better life for all Edmontonians,” said Jennifer Badry, Interim Chief Communications Officer for the City of Edmonton.

The City’s approach reflects a belief that good governance depends on open dialogue and shared responsibility. Its engagement teams continue to find ways to connect residents, strengthen trust and include more perspectives in shaping the future of Edmonton.

IAP2 Canada congratulates the City of Edmonton for its leadership in creating a city where engagement and collaboration thrive.

For media inquiries, please contact info@iap2canada.ca.

The Ethical Use of AI in Public Participation and Engagement

Artificial intelligence is no longer an idea for the future. It is already part of daily life. We see it in search engines, translation tools, chatbots, and software that helps us process data. For those who work in public participation and engagement, AI brings new opportunities and new risks.

At IAP2 Canada, our work is built on trust, respect, equity, and transparency. These values guide every decision about how we involve people in shaping policies, programs, and projects. As AI tools become more common in engagement, we need to use them in ways that strengthen those values.

This article explores how AI intersects with public participation. It looks at opportunities, risks, and practical steps for ethical use.

What We Mean by AI

AI is a broad term. At its core, it describes computer systems designed to perform tasks that usually require human intelligence. These tasks include learning, reasoning, and making predictions.

The type of AI most people know is generative AI. It creates text, images, audio, and video by remixing data it was trained on. Large language models, like ChatGPT, predict the next word in a sentence based on patterns learned from billions of examples. Other tools process images, recognize speech, or translate between languages.

It is important to remember that AI does not think like a person. It produces outputs based on patterns in its training data. These outputs can be useful, but they can also be inaccurate or biased.

Opportunities AI Brings to Participation

AI can help practitioners with several parts of the engagement process:

Research and Planning

• AI-assisted search tools can scan large amounts of information and provide summaries in plain language.

• Data mining can reveal trends that help tailor engagement strategies.

• Generative AI can help draft discussion guides, surveys, or agendas.

Communications

• Translation tools make information available in more languages.

• Voice-to-text and text-to-speech tools improve accessibility for people with hearing or vision needs.

• Generative AI can help draft early versions of press releases or plain language summaries.

Dialogue and Interaction

• AI moderation tools can flag harmful language in online forums.

• Chatbots can answer common questions from participants and support dialogue by keeping conversations active.

• Real-time translation and transcription can help more people participate in meetings.

Analysis and Decision Support

• Natural language processing tools can analyze thousands of comments, survey responses, or transcripts to identify themes.

• Sentiment analysis can reveal how communities feel about proposals.

• AI forecasting tools can support planners and decision makers with projections.

These uses can help practitioners save time, reach more people, and make engagement more inclusive.

Ethical Risks and Uncertainties

The promise of AI comes with serious risks. Practitioners need to understand them before adopting any tool.

Bias and Fairness

AI systems learn from data, and data often reflects social and cultural biases. Many AI systems are trained on data that is WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic). This means they may not work well for communities outside those contexts. If not checked, AI outputs can reinforce stereotypes and exclude marginalized groups (Norori et al., 2021, as cited in Boyco & Robinson, 2024).

Reliability and Accuracy

Generative AI tools often produce outputs that are wrong but sound convincing. These errors are sometimes called hallucinations. In engagement, this can spread misinformation or reduce confidence in the process.

Transparency and Trust

Participants deserve to know when AI is being used. Lack of clarity can erode trust. If people believe their input is being filtered or analyzed by a “black box,” they may disengage.

Privacy and Security

Many AI tools require uploading data to commercial systems. This creates risks around data ownership, consent, and protection. Sensitive community information should never be shared with tools that lack clear safeguards.

Human Connection

Participation is built on dialogue, empathy, and relationships. Over-reliance on AI can reduce the human contact that makes engagement meaningful.

Synthetic Participation

Some researchers are experimenting with replacing human participants with “virtual publics” created by large language models. This idea, sometimes called synthetic democracy, risks undermining real voices. Public participation is about people, not simulations (Crockett & Messeri, 2023, as cited in Boyco & Robinson, 2024).

Environmental and Social Impacts

AI also has impacts beyond the engagement process. Training and running large models requires massive energy, contributing to environmental harm. Behind many tools is low-wage labor in the Global South, where workers label data under poor conditions (Taylor, 2023, as cited in Boyco & Robinson, 2024). Practitioners need to be aware of these hidden costs when making choices about AI.

Practical Guidance for Practitioners

IAP2’s Core Values and Code of Ethics provide a foundation for thinking about AI. Here are practical steps for ethical use:

• Be transparent. Always disclose when and how AI is being used. Give participants a choice to engage through other means.

• Protect privacy. Never upload sensitive information into AI systems without safeguards. Check your organization’s policies.

• Evaluate bias. Review outputs for fairness. Consider how use of the tool might reinforce inequities or exclude some voices.

• Keep people in the loop. Use AI to support analysis, not to make decisions. Human judgment must always guide outcomes.

• Build trust. Only use AI if it adds value to the process and strengthens relationships with participants.

• Test and verify. Treat AI outputs as drafts. Check their accuracy before sharing them.

• Avoid overreliance. Do not let AI replace your own thinking or creativity.

• Choose tools carefully. Look for reliable, appropriate, and context-sensitive tools. Be skeptical of hype.

These steps align with international guidelines, but also reflect the unique responsibilities of public participation professionals (Boyco & Robinson, 2024).

The Future of AI in Public Participation

AI will continue to evolve quickly. We will see more tools integrated into platforms we already use, from survey software to digital engagement portals. We will also see more pressure to use AI for efficiency in times of budget cuts.

Practitioners need to resist shortcuts that compromise integrity. Good engagement takes time and human effort. There are no replacements for listening, dialogue, and trust building.

IAP2 Canada encourages practitioners to take an active role in shaping how AI is used. This means asking critical questions, sharing experiences, and learning from each other. It also means advocating for public input in how AI tools themselves are designed and governed (Boyco & Robinson, 2024).

Key Takeaways

• AI offers real opportunities to improve participation through translation, accessibility, analysis, and planning.

• Serious risks include bias, inaccuracy, privacy concerns, and the loss of human connection.

• Practitioners must use AI carefully, with transparency, accountability, and human oversight.

• Decisions should never be automated. Public participation is about people, not machines.

• The goal is not to replace engagement with AI, but to use it responsibly to support more inclusive and effective processes (Boyco & Robinson, 2024).

Public participation strengthens democracy. AI will shape its future, but values must come first. Respect, inclusion, transparency, and accountability are the anchors. With these in place, AI can help us listen better, reach further, and involve more people in decisions that affect their lives (Boyco & Robinson, 2024).

Reference

Boyco, M., & Robinson, P. (2024). Artificial Intelligence: Its potential and ethics in the practice of public participation. International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Canada. https://cdn.wildapricot.com/44479/resources/Documents/RESEARCH/Artificial%20Intelligence%20-%20IAP2%20Canada%20-%20April%202024%20FINAL3.pdf

-Patrick McKeown is a digital marketing and technology leader with more than 25 years of experience in the web industry. He has worked with global brands, government organizations, and non-profits, specializing in SEO, digital strategy, and content development. Currently, he leads marketing and IT initiatives for IAP2 Canada, where he focuses on building engagement, expanding digital presence, and shaping the organization’s strategic direction. *The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of IAP2 Canada.

The recent research paper "Artificial Intelligence: Its Potential and Ethics in the Practice of Public Participation" by Morgan Boyco MCIP RPP, and Dr. Pamela Robinson MCIP RPP offers a comprehensive look at how AI can shape public participation practices. As AI tools like ChatGPT become more accessible, it's crucial to understand both their potential benefits and inherent risks. This article summarizes key findings and insights from the paper.

Understanding AI's Potential in Public Participation

The paper identifies several areas where AI can enhance public participation (P2) processes:

• Research and Planning: AI can streamline background research and planning, utilizing AI-assisted web searches and data analysis to craft more informed engagement strategies.

• Communications: Generative AI can expedite the creation of text-based content like press releases and reports, while multimodal AI tools can produce multimedia content that enhances the accessibility and engagement of communication efforts.

• Interaction and Dialogue: AI tools can support moderation and provide real-time feedback in digital engagement platforms, facilitating more effective and inclusive dialogues.

• Analysis and Decision Support: AI has the potential to analyze large volumes of community feedback and support decision-making processes in urban planning and other civic engagements.

Addressing the Risks and Ethical Considerations

Despite the promising applications, the paper does not shy away from addressing the significant risks associated with AI:

• Bias and Inaccuracy: AI systems may perpetuate biases present in their training data, leading to unfair treatment of certain groups and inaccurate information.

• Privacy and Security: The potential for AI to inadvertently leak sensitive information poses serious privacy risks.

• Overreliance on Technology: There's a concern that excessive reliance on AI could undermine human elements crucial in P2 processes, such as empathy and ethical judgment.

Ethical Framework for AI Use in Public Participation

The authors propose an ethical framework to guide P2 practitioners in responsibly integrating AI tools. Key recommendations include:

• Awareness and Accountability: Practitioners must be aware of the risks and remain accountable for the outcomes of AI tools.

• Promoting Equity: Efforts should be made to identify and mitigate biases in AI outputs to ensure equitable outcomes.

• Transparency: Practitioners should be transparent about the use of AI and open to alternative participation methods.

• Human Oversight: Decisions should always involve human judgment to prevent overautomation and preserve democratic integrity.

The Future of AI in P2

Looking ahead, the paper stresses the importance of balancing the efficiency and innovation offered by AI with the need to maintain integrity and inclusivity in public participation. As AI technologies evolve, P2 professionals must stay informed and critical of how these tools are implemented within their practices.

Conclusion

The research paper by Boyco and Robinson is a vital resource for anyone involved in public participation. It highlights the transformative potential of AI while cautioning against its unmonitored use. As we continue to integrate these technologies, maintaining a focus on ethics, equity, and human oversight will be crucial to harnessing AI's benefits without compromising the foundational values of public participation.

• Access the research paper
• Access the webinar on demand (Member’s only)

Consider joining Morgan, Pamela, and your fellow P2 professionals at the 2024 IAP2 North American Conference, taking place from October 24-26, for a pre-conference workshop on AI to share experiences, ethical quandaries, and all other big questions about AI for P2 and help lay the groundwork for building a new AI P2 community of practice.

Are you ready to dive into the future of public participation and engagement? Join us at the 2024 IAP2 North American Conference for discussions led by dynamic speakers on innovative approaches to community relations. This must-attend event is for those eager to stay ahead in the evolving field of public participation.

These sessions are just a few of the amazing learning experiences you can expect at #IAP2NAC:

Navigating the Future with AI: A Deep Dive with Morgan Boyco & Dr. Pamela Robinson

Join Morgan Boyco and Dr. Pamela Robinson as they explore the vast potential of AI in public participation. Their session, "Artificial Intelligence: Its Potential and Ethics in Public Participation Practice," is a deep dive into AI's transformative power and ethical considerations. Engage with two forward-thinking minds as they discuss how AI can enhance engagement processes and the importance of responsible AI policies.

Embracing Diversity: Culturally Responsive Engagement Strategies

Explore inclusive strategies at the session led by Olivia Howard, Amanda Krumins Somkuti, Lyndsay Ward, and Maral Hamayeli. "Beyond Eurocentric Engagement: Culturally Responsive Approaches to Community Engagement" will provide tools and insights to effectively navigate culturally diverse environments and foster genuine connections within communities.

Empowering Every Voice: Engaging Persons with Disabilities

Christine Furtado, Luke Anderson, Ron Buling, and Shawn Smith will challenge norms and empower the voices of persons with disabilities. Their panel discussion “Breaking Barriers: Panel Discussion on Engaging Persons with Disabilities” is more than a session; it's a catalyst for change, providing strategic insights to make engagement genuinely inclusive.

Building Bridges: Indigenous Engagement and Corporate Social Responsibility

Katlan Holman and Caoimhe Laird's session is “Building Authenticity Skills and Practices for Corporate Social Responsibility & Indigenous Engagement”. Attendees will learn how to build sustainable and respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, ensuring a legacy of responsible corporate conduct intertwined with Indigenous wisdom.

Laying the Foundations: Trust and Engagement in Transit Infrastructure

Join Lauren Reaman and Avril Fisken as they lead a revolutionary session, “Building Trust, Building Acceptance and Building Transit Infrastructure”. Learn cutting-edge engagement techniques and how to integrate community feedback effectively to enhance public transit projects.

Collaborative Innovations in Affordable Housing (Simultaneous translation available)

Join CMHC for a dynamic fireside chat titled "Practices for Community-led Design and Development of Affordable Housing in Canada." This session will showcase successful community co-design and governance projects, offering participants insights from field pioneers, real-time method demonstrations, and guidance on applying these practices in their own communities.

Join us at the 2024 IAP2 North American Conference to be at the forefront of these critical conversations. Register now and be part of shaping the future of public participation.

Effective public engagement is crucial in urban planning and governance, particularly in projects like Ottawa's Solid Waste Master Plan (SWMP). This initiative highlights how an inclusive engagement process can build trust, ensure transparency, and encourage collaboration between city officials and residents. Ottawa’s approach, which earned them the 2023 Respect for Diversity, Inclusion, and Culture Award from IAP2 Canada, involved embracing diversity and equitable representation. This commitment allowed the community to play a significant role in reshaping the city's waste management strategies, demonstrating the profound impact of inclusivity in public policy development.

The Cornerstone of Public Engagement in Ottawa's SWMP Development

Starting in 2019, Ottawa undertook a significant overhaul of its SWMP with a clear goal: align waste management strategies with sustainability goals and community needs. Central to this initiative was creating multiple platforms for dialogue. The city launched surveys across a variety of languages, including French and English, to ensure wide accessibility and conducted virtual dialogue sessions for deeper community involvement. Focus groups specifically aimed to include voices from marginalized and equity-seeking communities, ensuring that policies reflected the diverse needs and values across Ottawa.

A Tapestry of Voices: Incorporating Diverse Community Feedback

The development of the SWMP was rooted in the principle that all community perspectives are vital. Ottawa's strategy involved extensive outreach to gather varied insights from its culturally diverse population. The city's commitment to inclusivity led to a rich collection of feedback that illuminated various community needs and aspirations, significantly shaping the final waste management strategies.

Innovative Practices and Lessons Learned

Two innovative practices stood out in Ottawa's public engagement process: tailored communication materials and the strategic use of honoraria use of multilingual content. Tailored communications ensured that complex information was accessible to all, breaking down barriers that language and technical jargon might create. Developing content in, up to, 10 languages helped to ensure no one was excluded from the opportunity and set the bar for public engagement initiatives at the City.

Adhering to IAP2 Core Values for Authentic Engagement

Ottawa’s engagement strategy was deeply aligned with the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Core Values. This alignment ensured that the engagement process was not only transparent and inclusive but also respectful and meaningful. The city’s efforts to engage diverse communities through customized communication and respectful interaction reinforced its commitment to these values, enhancing public trust and participation quality.

Impact of Inclusive Engagement on Public Trust and Policy Efficacy

The inclusive nature of Ottawa's engagement strategy has proven effective in building public trust and enhancing policy efficacy. By integrating extensive community feedback into the SWMP, Ottawa has developed waste management policies that not only meet environmental goals but also resonate with the community’s values. The new SWMP, approved by City Council in June 2024, is reflective of the input received during the engagement process. Residents and stakeholders consistently underlined the importance of the City working with the community, multi-lingual, and external partners to ensure the success of many of the actions in the Plan.

Ottawa's journey through the development of its SWMP serves as a powerful example of how cities can effectively engage with their communities to create policies that are both sustainable and widely supported. This case study illustrates the importance of inclusive public engagement in urban planning and the positive impacts it can have on both policy development and community trust.

• Access their website
• Watch their video
• View all 2023 Core Values Award Recipients

We are pleased to share updates and highlights from the past quarter, including insights from our recent Annual General Meeting and the release of our 2023 Annual Report. Explore how we are advancing public participation and inclusion across communities. Your continued support and involvement are invaluable to us at IAP2 Canada, and we thank you for being a part of our journey.

AGM

IAP2 Canada successfully conducted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the year, during which we also released our comprehensive 2023 Annual Report. This report details our achievements, financials, and strategic initiatives from the past year. Members and interested parties can access the AGM minutes and view the Annual Report through the links provided below:

• Read the 2023 Annual Report
• Read the draft 2024 AGM minutes

Global Learning Pathway Update

We are pleased to announce the successful licensing of trainers for our Global Learning Pathway (GLP) courses. Congratulations to the following members of our IAP2 community of trainers who have been accredited to deliver these essential courses:

GLP Prerequisite Courses

• Kristi Merilees

GLP Electives

Understanding People and Communities:

• Jessica Delaney, CP3
• Tracey Ehl, MCP3
• Kim Hyshka, CP3
• Gay Robinson, CP3
• Tannis Topolnisky, CP3

Working with Conflict and High Emotion:

• Jessica Delaney, CP3
• Tracey Ehl, MCP3
• Kim Hyshka, CP3

These trainers are now prepared to deliver insightful and valuable learning experiences tailored to public participation practitioners.

CP3 Designation Progress

Congratulations to our newest CP3 designated members:

• Iwokiri Aprioku, CP3
• Precious Ile, MA, PMP, CEC, CP3

We celebrate your achievement and welcome you to our community of certified professionals.

Indigenous Awareness Learning Program

We recently celebrated the successful completion of our January 2024 cohort for the IAP2 Canada Indigenous Awareness Learning Program, marking a milestone in advancing P2. In June, we launched a new cohort, furthering our commitment to integrating Indigenous perspectives and enhancing P2 practices.

Digital Discovery Series 2024

The Digital Discovery Series concluded in June 2024 with more than 200 participants, offering innovative insights into digital strategies for P2. We sincerely thank Susanna Haas Lyons for her her invaluable leadership throughout.

Leadership

Alison Fraser joined us as the new Executive Director of IAP2 Canada in June 2024, enriching our leadership team with her extensive background in marketing and communications. With over 20 years of experience from diverse sectors including healthcare, entertainment, and corporate strategy, Alison is well-equipped to steer our initiatives towards new heights. Learn more about Alison.

2024 IAP2 NAC Keynote Speakers

As we gear up for the 2024 IAP2 North American Conference in Ottawa, we are thrilled to highlight our keynote speakers, each a distinguished leader in their field:

• The Hon. Catherine McKenna: Former Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna brings a wealth of experience in environmental policy and climate action. Her insights will inspire and challenge us to integrate sustainable practices in public participation.
• The Hon. Wanda Thomas Bernard, PhD, C.M., O.N.S.: Senator for Nova Scotia (East Preston), Dr. Bernard is renowned for her advocacy in social justice and community engagement. Her extensive work in promoting inclusivity and understanding in public policies, particularly focusing on building bridges and best practices in P2, will provide valuable perspectives to our discussions.

Join us in Ottawa for an opportunity to learn from these visionary leaders and to further your professional development in the field of public participation.

IAP2 Canada Research Paper

The research paper "Artificial Intelligence: Its Potential and Ethics in the Practice of Public Participation," released in April 2024 by the International Association for Public Participation Canada and authored by Morgan Boyco and Dr. Pamela Robinson, examines the impact of AI on public participation. It discusses the advantages and challenges of AI tools like ChatGPT, which are becoming increasingly accessible.