Integrating Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Into Canadian Cultural Planning

Abstract

Cultural planning practice in Canada is under-researched leaving the field difficult to define, scope, and process. Culture, as a concept, is not universally defined across Canadian cultural planning allowing culture plans and related planning processes to vary immensely. Without a universal definition, it is difficult to determine how equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) can be integrated into the practice. Nonetheless, an analysis of 13 culture plans across Canada reveal that EDI has become a more prevalent topic within culture plans in recent years. This analysis sparks a preliminary definition of culture and the role of culture planning in Canada through six jurisdictions of practice including: (1) arts planning, (2) urban planning & design, (3) heritage planning & conservation, (4) planning for diversity, (5) intercultural placemaking, and (6) community cultural development. The research also offers a suite ofrecommendations for cultural and urban planners to advance EDI in planning practice.