About
About
The Atlantic Planners Institute / Institut des Urbanistes de l'Atlantique (API), is a professional association that supports professional planners three Provincial Associations in the Atlantic Provinces of Canada: New Brunswick Association of Professional Planners, Prince Edward Island Institute of Professional Planners and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Professional Planners.
Board
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API is governed by a Board of Directors.

Meredith Cooper, AICP, MCIP, CNU-A (2023-2026)
Chair of the Board
Meredith.Cooper@fredericton.ca

Lindsay Lyghtle Brushett, MCIP (2023-2026)
LLyghtleBrushett@stjohns.ca

Susan Dean, RPP, MCIP (2023-2026)
susanchristinadean@gmail.com

Jamie Burke, RPP, MCIP (2022-2025)
jburke@mta.ca

Mitch Underhay, MCIP (2022-2025)
mitch@underhay.ca

Michelle MacDonald
Executive Director
executivedirector@atlanticplanners.org

Committees
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API has several Joint Committees with membership coming from the four Provincial Associations.

Continuous Professional Learning Committee

API Awards Committee

Professional Practice Review Committee

Conference Planning Committee

Bylaws
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The Atlantic Planners Institute is a registered non-profit organization under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act.

API By-laws

Strategic Priorities
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API is committed to creating the necessary conditions to allow certified planners in Atlantic Canada to practice within a respected profession, including:

    1. Provincial Associations within the Atlantic Planners Institute are supported in service delivery to members.
    2. A legislative environment exists in all four Atlantic Provinces that recognizes the profession.
    3. Atlantic Canada has an education and training environment that facilitates new entrants to the profession and continuous professional learning throughout a member’s career.
    4. In Atlantic Canada there is a positive public image of members as a group, of the profession and of the practice of planning.
    5. The Atlantic Planners Institute is an active participation in national initiatives to support the profession.
Values
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In all we do, the Atlantic Planners Institute will:

  1. Protect the public interest with regards to environmental stewardship, sustainability and public engagement. 
  2. Make evidence-informed decisions.
  3. Respect diversity of perspectives and backgrounds.
  4. Foster collaboration and mutual support.
  5. Work at a regional level to support and promote members and the profession.
  6. Recognize common interests.
  7. Act professionally.
  8. Boldly represent Atlantic interests and values nationally. 
SERVICES
API/IUA provides the following services to the membership:
01
Representation for Atlantic provinces on Standards Committee and Professional Standards Board for the Planning Profession in Canada.
02
Processing of membership applications on behalf of the provincial associations.
03
Maintenance of the membership roster on behalf of the provincial associations.
04
Job and event postings.
05
Administration and support for the provincial associations.
06
Advocacy on behalf of members and the profession.
07
Collaboration on regional and national planning initiatives, such as climate change adaptation strategies.
08
Promoting and recognizing the profession through awards of excellence.
09
Facilitation of continuous professional learning initiatives.
10
Support and collaboration for the annual conference organizing committee.
The Provincial Associations provide the following services:
01
Admission and certification of members.
02
Regulation of the profession.
03
Professional development sessions.
04
Liaison with the planning school.
05
Organizing and hosting the annual conference on a rotating basis.
October 22 to October 25
2025 API Conference