Our History
IPMA Canada is a not-for-profit volunteer-based association serving the HR community in Canada since 1906. The organization began as an association of Civil Service Commissioners and evolved into the CPPMA, and then into IPMA Canada, an association for HR practitioners in Canada. Until September 2015, there were eight locally-run and nationally affiliated chapters across Canada with members in all provinces and territories.
2014 – 2016 were characterized by significant change within IPMA Canada. The organization shifted from a provincial to a regional and then to a national structure. Throughout its history, regardless of structure, the focus of the organization has remained committed to the certification and professional development of Human Resource professionals. IPMA Canada continues to maintain a partnership with its counterpart in the United States: IPMA-HR.
Our Mission
We believe that it is essential that HR be involved in the strategy, development and core operations of an organization. We offer an inclusive and cost-effective solution to the certification, and continuing development of Human Resource strategies and solutions by increasing the competence of individual and organizational members so that they can keep abreast of changes in HR, society and workplaces. We provide national certification that is also recognized by IPMA-HR in the US and offer the following programs and services to support the development of our members:
- webinars and workshops
- executive leadership events
- online networking and connections with other professionals
- partnerships and connections with other HR associations
- promotion of HR career opportunities.
Our members include HR Professionals, HR Managers, HR Consultants, Executive Directors and Leaders in HR, Post-Secondary Institution students and faculty in HR Programs, Managers, Directors, Executive Directors and Leaders from public, private and non-profit sectors. HR professionals are our primary customer, with Managers, Leaders and HR students as valued members.
Our Vision
We are community inspired!
We are inclusive. We collaborate with individuals, organizations, and other associations to share ideas and keep the profession growing and developing. We work with non-profits and other organizations and we donate our time and efforts to support their development and success. We relate our work as professionals to society as a whole and keep abreast of social justice trends and issues.
We are HR innovators!
We share analytics to help individuals and organizations focus on the future trends in organizations and for HR as a profession. We are focused on helping organizations and individuals prepare for uncertainties and continual change. We explore the application of new technologies, platforms and developments in the field of HR.
We are diverse and engaged!
We are responsive, inclusive and actively engaged with our members and the community. We have a strong presence in each province and territory, and a connection with IPMA-HR in the US. We are focused on continual improvement, and our organization and certification is widely recognized by HR professionals and organizations. We are active. We host many events and the outcome of our work contributes to HR transformation in Canada. Individual, agency, affiliate, emeritus and student memberships gain value from and feel connected to IPMA.
We are connectors and collaborators!
People are connecting and working together through an online community with spin-off local collaboration and networks. Our online platform moves information and connects people quickly. HR experts are involved in the organization and in the delivery of programs and services. We offer connections with all post-secondary HR programs in Canada and are partners with senior leaders and HR professionals. Companies reach out to us and we provide and connect them with the right resources.
We are action-oriented!
The executive functions in a very project-focused manner. We model a competency-based approach where executive members lead projects on behalf of the organization in their areas of strength.