A New Professional Code of Practice for Planners in Ontario: What Members Need to Know

Following more than a year of work and three rounds of review by OPPI’s Professional Standards & Registration Committee (PS&RC), OPPI Council formally adopted the national Ethical Standard for the Planning Profession in September 2026. Developed by the Professional Standards Board for the Planning Profession in Canada (PSB), this new Ethical Standard is a necessary modernization of the principles that guide the ethical practice of the planning profession in Canada. The new standard has two main components:

• Code of Ethics: This section sets out the fundamental principles integral to the planning profession in Canada. These principles are aspirational and may be interpreted differently depending on the circumstances. Importantly, the Code of Ethics is not enforceable.
• Professional Code of Conduct: Known in Ontario as the Professional Code of Practice, this is the enforceable component of the Ethical Standard, which is important for OPPI in its capacity as a regulator. Our own Code is derived from the national, model code found in the new standard, and of course this Code creates expectations for ethical practice in Ontario and forms the basis for all professional practice complaints made against Candidate and Full members of OPPI.

Because of the changes to the national model Professional Code of Conduct, OPPI has updated its Professional Code of Practice (Code) to align as closely as possible with the national version, while also respecting the regulatory realities of Ontario and existing jurisprudence from past Discipline cases. OPPI’s new Code will go into effect on January 1, 2027.

Both the new Ethical Standard and OPPI’s new Code reflect the ongoing evolution of the planning profession and the challenges practitioners face in defining and serving the public interest.

While the new Code retains a structure similar to the current Code and many provisions remain unchanged, it updates and expands expectations in several important areas, including:

• Professional judgment
• Conflicts of interest
• Diversity, equity and inclusion
• Indigenous engagement
• Technology and artificial intelligence
• Professional conduct

What has changed?

The new Code places greater emphasis on the responsibilities that come with being a professional planner and the judgment required to navigate complex professional situations:

• A broader responsibility to the public and to others

The new Code expands the expectation that planners treat individuals with dignity and respect. This responsibility extends beyond the public to include clients, colleagues and other interested parties, with explicit expectations around behaviour that may be perceived as discriminatory, harassing or exploitative.

The new Code also places greater emphasis on inclusive and accessible participation in planning processes, including consideration of the diverse perspectives, lived experiences and knowledge systems of equity-deserving, underserved and historically marginalized communities.

The new Code also introduces a specific expectation that professional planners endeavour to engage with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples and communities when planning activities may affect Indigenous rights, interests or lands. Engagement is expected to be sustained, meaningful and culturally appropriate, and to begin early in the planning process. The proposed provision also recognizes the importance of Indigenous knowledge and guidance in informing engagement.

Relevant Sections of the new Code:

• 1.1 Treat all individuals with dignity and respect, including clients, colleagues, interested parties, and the public. This includes refraining from discriminatory, harassing, or exploitative behaviour.
• 1.2 Provide full, clear, and accurate information and advice on planning matters to decision makers and members of the public, recognizing the diverse needs, identifies and lived experiences of different people and their communities.
• 1.4 Endeavour to engage with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples and communities in a manner that is sustained, meaningful, and culturally appropriate whenever planning activities may affect Indigenous rights, interests, or lands. Engagement should be initiated early, carried out respectfully, and informed by Indigenous knowledge and guidance.

• Greater emphasis on professional judgment and independence

Professional planners remain responsible for providing independent professional opinions. The new Code further emphasizes the importance of professional judgment when client or employer interests intersect with professional obligations.

Members are expected to identify and communicate conflicts between the values or actions of a client or employer and the Code, and to provide their professional recommendation where situations may adversely affect the public interest.

Relevant sections of the new Code:

• 1.5 Provide opportunities for education and inclusive participation in planning processes for members of the public, equity-deserving communities, underserved populations, and those who have been historically marginalized. Engagement should be accessible, transparent and responsive to diverse perspectives, lived experiences and knowledge systems.
• 2.1 Provide independent professional opinion to clients, employers, the public, and tribunals.
• 2.2 Respect the values and objectives of the client or employer, while ensuring that professional advice and conduct remain consistent with this Code.

• Clearer expectations around conflicts of interest and improper influence

The new Code modernizes the provisions dealing with conflicts of interest. Planners remain obligated to disclose perceived and actual conflicts in a transparent and timely manner, and the new Code also broadens the existing provisions concerning inducements and improper influence. The new Code addresses financial, personal and other benefits that could reasonably be perceived as influencing professional judgment, advice or conduct.

Relevant Sections of the New Code:

• 2.5 Not neglect planning services which they have agreed to perform, nor render services without adequate preparation.
• 2.6 Disclose all potential, perceived and actual conflicts of interest in a transparent and timely manner.
• 2.7 Inform the client or employer in the event of a conflict between the values or actions of the client or employer and those of this Code in a timely manner.
• 2.8 Inform all relevant parties and provide the Member’s professional recommendation in situations that may adversely affect the public interest.
• 2.9 Not accept any financial, personal or other benefits that could reasonably be perceived as influencing, or attempting to influence, the member’s judgment, planning advice or conduct.

• Technology and artificial intelligence

One of the most significant new areas of the new Code is the explicit recognition of digital tools, data systems, emerging technologies and artificial intelligence.

The new Code expects planners to use these tools responsibly and transparently, with attention to accuracy, privacy, consent, data protection, bias, assumptions, limitations and risks.

Importantly, using AI does not transfer professional responsibility to the technology. Planners remain accountable for the accuracy, integrity and ethical use of outputs generated through AI or other automated tools.

Relevant Sections of the New Code:

• 2.14 Use digital platforms, data analytics and emerging technologies responsibly and transparently, ensuring that clients and decision-makers are informed of any limitations, assumptions and risks, and that all uses comply with applicable privacy, consent and data protection standards.
• 2.15 When using artificial intelligence or automated tools, remain fully responsible for the accuracy, integrity and ethical use of outputs.

• New expectations around professional conduct

The new Code also introduces or strengthens several expectations concerning relationships among professional planners and colleagues.

These include ethical competition for contracts and employment opportunities, good-faith discussion of suspected breaches of the Code, reporting material breaches to OPPI where appropriate, and cooperation with professional inquiries and disciplinary processes.

Relevant Sections of the New Code:

• 3.4 Respect colleagues in their professional capacity, and when evaluating the work of another member, show objectivity and fairness and avoid ill-considered or uninformed criticisms of the competence, conduct or advice of the member.
• 3.5 Refrain from soliciting or attempting to take over a contract, client, or employment opportunity that another member is already engaged in or retainer for, unless the arrangement has been formally ended or a new competitive process has been initiated. In doing so, members shall avoid any actions that would undermine or disparage that member’s work or credibility.
• 3.7 Not in professional practice, extra-professional activities or private life, engage in dishonourable or questionable conduct that may cast doubt on the Member’s professional competence or integrity or that may reflect adversely on the integrity of the profession.
• 3.8 Engage in good-faith discussions with a colleague regarding a suspected breach of this Code, where appropriate and feasible. If the matter cannot reasonably be raised with the colleague or is not adequately resolved by the colleague, and the member has reasonable ground that the colleague materially breached this Code, the member shall report such a breach to OPPI. This must be done in a timely, confidential, professional manner, and in accordance with PTIA procedures.

What does this mean for members?

For most members, the new Code will not change the fundamental purpose of professional ethics, and it is unlikely to significantly alter their day-to-day practice of planning. Rather, it serves to update both the profession and the public’s expectations of Candidate and Full members practicing in Ontario.

The new Code and broader Ethical Standard recognizes that ethical questions do not always have simple answers. Planners may need to:

• Balance client and employer expectations with their professional responsibilities
• Navigate conflicts of interest
• Assess information produced by new technologies
• Engage respectfully with Indigenous Peoples and communities
• Work with people whose perspectives and experiences differ from their own
• Determine when a concern about another professional’s conduct requires action.

Discussion Questions:

OPPI encourages members to connect with one another to discuss the new Code and its implications on their professional practice. Ethical training is critically important so that members may continue to define and serve the public interest to the best of their ability. Consider discussing the following questions with your colleagues and reflect on how you might approach each situation in your own practice:

• You are asked by a client or employer to support a planning position that you believe may not be consistent with the public interest or with your professional obligations. How should you approach the situation, and what factors should you consider before deciding how to respond?

• You are involved in a project that affects Indigenous rights or interests, but the project timeline is already established, and engagement has not yet begun. What should you consider when determining how, when and with whom engagement should take place?
• You use an AI tool to help prepare a planning justification report. The tool produces information and analysis that appears reasonable, but you have not independently verified all of its sources or conclusions. What responsibilities do you have before relying on or presenting that information as part of your professional work?
• You become aware of a situation involving another professional planner that you believe may constitute a breach of the Code. What factors should you consider before raising the concern with the colleague or reporting it to OPPI?

The new Professional Code of Practice is set to take effect on January 1, 2027. More education on the Ethical Standard itself will be shared as it is made available by the PSB. In the meantime, and as always, please know that the OPPI Registrar is happy to speak with members about questions they may have about the Code, or other ethical considerations.