About this Event
In spring of 2026, we are celebrating 50 years of the Community Psychology (CP) program at Wilfrid Laurier University, and 50 years of the formalization of Community Psychology as a discipline in Canada. We are thrilled to invite you to both support and attend a Day of Celebration on May 21st, 2026. This will be followed by the Canadian Community Psychology Conference on May 22nd and 23rd, 2026.
Our conference theme is Community-Based Research and Practice in Canada and Beyond: Hope in the Times of Polycrisis, and we are pleased to welcome academics, practitioners and community partners from Community Psychology and related fields in Canada and internationally. The celebration and conference is organized in collaboration with partners from the University of Ottawa, Brock University, and Toronto Metropolitan University.
What To Expect?
Day of Celebration (Conference Day 1: Thursday, May 21st) (Free and open to the public; ticket reservation required)
- Opening Panel: 50 Years of CP in Canada - A Half Century in Review
- Alumni Panel: CP Practice in the Field - Making a Difference
CP 50th Celebration Gala (Thursday, May 21st) (At cost/fee paid by individual)
- Community Psychology (CP) 50th Anniversary Evening Celebration Gala
- Dinner and drink ticket provided with purchase of a Gala ticket
Conference Day 2 (Friday, May 22nd) (Paid ticket required)
- Presentation sessions throughout the day
- Poster sessions throughout the day
- Townhall: Reinvigorating a Canadian CP Network
- Refreshments provided throughout the day
Conference Day 3 (Saturday, May 23rd) (Paid ticket required)
- Presentation sessions throughout the day
- Poster sessions throughout the day
- World Cafe discussion about reinvigorating the Canadian CP Network
- Refreshments provided throughout the day
Our goal is to provide opportunities for reconnecting with old friends and networking to make new ones, as well as space for sharing our collective and multi-sectoral work in forwarding the aims of social justice confronting today’s world.
You can check our event website for updates here: [https://researchcentres.wlu.ca/ccrla/index.html].
Get up to date information about the conference and wider Community Psychology activities by joining our listserve which can be found at: [https://wlu.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_encwtVKnZf0Xj94].
We welcome all monetary contributions to support the conference planning. To make a donation, please visit:[https://secureca.imodules.com/s/1681/giving/19/form.aspx?sid=1681&gid=2&pgid=613&dids=179.299].
Steps to Purchase and/or Reserve Tickets
Be sure to purchase any Early Bird tickets by Tuesday, April 28th by 12:00 PM ET. Registration between Tuesday, April 28 to Monday, May 11 is subject to a rate increase. General Admission pricing (includes Eventbrite fees) are listed below:
Conference Day 1: Thurs, May 21 (9:30 AM - 4:00 PM) Free - Attendees must reserve a ticket in advance.
CP50 Evening Gala: Thurs, May 21 (5:30 PM - 9:30 PM) - $105.50 CAD
Conference Days 2-3: Friday May 22 and Saturday May 23 (Academic/Faculty) - $315.50 CAD
Conference Days 2-3: Friday May 22 and Saturday May 23 (Student/Community) - $105.50 CAD
1) Select "Check Availability" on the event page.
2) For the events you are interested in attending, select the number of tickets you'd like to purchase by clicking the "+" button next to each event. We welcome participants to join us for all three days of the conference!
3) Upon completing your ticket purchase, you will be prompted to share any dietary requirements and accessibility or learning accommodations.
Please note - attendance for Conference Days 2 and 3 is sold only as a combined ticket. When purchasing, this Day 2–3 ticket (May 22–23) is listed only under the “Friday, May 22” tab after clicking “Check Availability.” There is no separate ticket or tab for Conference Day 3 (Saturday, May 23).
Call for Proposals
Are you interested in presenting and contributing at CP50? The date has been extended to Monday, December 15th, 2025. Please click the following link to be taken to our Call for Proposals form: CLICK HERE
Conference Programming
The Conference programming and details will be available soon at: [https://researchcentres.wlu.ca/ccrla/index.html].
Accessibility
Our team is working hard to ensure that all conference spaces are as accessible as possible. More information regarding accessibility to follow with conference programming.
Conference Accomodations
Details about accommodations can be found at [https://researchcentres.wlu.ca/ccrla/index.html] under the "Places to Stay" tab.
Parking Information
Public street parking is available around the Waterloo campus. Examples include King Street in uptown Waterloo (1.5 km walk), Regina Street (500 m walk), and Bricker Avenue (500 m walk). Details can be found here: [https://www.wlu.ca/information-for/visiting-laurier/parking.html]
Agenda
🕑: 09:30 AM - 04:00 PM
Conference Day 1: Thursday, May 21st, 2026
Info: Day 1 will include an Opening Panel: 50 Years of CP in Canada - A Half Century in Review and
Alumni Panel: CP Practice in the Field - Making a Difference.
🕑: 05:30 PM - 09:00 PM
CP 50th Anniversary Celebration Evening Gala: Thursday, May 21st, 2026
Info: In the evening, attendees can opt to attend the Community Psychology 50th Anniversary Gala in celebration of 50 years of the discipline in Canada and the largest English-speaking program based at Laurier. This gala will include opportunities for networking, arts-based performances, dinner and dancing!
🕑: 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM
Conference Day 2: Friday, May 22nd, 2026
Info: Day 2 will feature presentation and poster sessions throughout the day, as well as a Townhall: Reinvigorating a Canadian CP Network.
🕑: 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM
Conference Day 3: Saturday, May 23rd, 2026
Info: Day 3 will feature presentation and poster sessions throughout the day, as well as a World Cafe discussion about reinvigorating the Canadian CP Network and future directions for the field.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo Campus, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Canada
CAD 0.00 to CAD 315.50
