National Community of Practice Programming for Peer Support Workers

Connect, reflect, and learn alongside peer supporters from across Canada.

Peer Support Canada’s National Community of Practice Programming provides welcoming spaces for peer supporters to discuss real experiences from their work, explore complex situations, and strengthen their practice through shared learning.

Each Community of Practice (CoP) will meet virtually four times throughout the year. Sessions will be grounded in peer support values and practice standards and shaped by the experiences, questions, and priorities of participants.

Each community of practice meeting will involve 15-100 participants, with breakout rooms utilized to facilitate smaller group conversations. CoP meetings will involve a combination of scenario-based learning and discussion, and an open forum for participants to bring scenarios that they’ve come across within their role to the group, while respecting confidentiality of peers and organizational policies.

Participants are encouraged to bring questions, experiences, and scenarios they would benefit from exploring with other peer supporters.

Please note that this Discussion Series is a facilitated, discussion-based learning opportunity – not a webinar. We encourage you to attend if you are open to participating as you are able, while following the attached community discussion guidelines. We are all learners, and every contribution is valued.

Participants will have opportunities to:

  • Connect with peer supporters who share similar roles and experiences.

  • Discuss real-life situations arising in peer support work, while being mindful of the confidentiality of peers and organizational policies related to privacy.

  • Explore how peer support values and competencies apply in practice.

  • Learn from different perspectives and approaches.

  • Strengthen their sense of connection to the broader peer support community.

  • Contribute to practical resources that can support peer supporters across Canada.

2026 - 2027 CoP Programming

Three streams will be offered during the 2026–2027 program year:

Peer Supporters Working in Clinical Environments

For peer supporters working or volunteering in hospitals, primary care settings, ACT/FACT teams, and other clinically-based environments.

Sessions will take place from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. ET on:

  • Wednesday, October 7, 2026

  • Wednesday, January 6, 2027

  • Wednesday, April 7, 2027

  • Wednesday, July 7, 2027

BIPOC Peer Supporters

A dedicated space for peer supporters who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Colour to connect, share experiences, and explore issues that affect their work and communities. This CoP will be facilitated by 2 BIPOC Peer Support Workers. Note that only individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Colour may register to participate in this CoP space.

 

Dates are being determined as facilitators are being secured – complete the application to participate to be notified of upcoming dates. 

Peer Supporters Supporting People Specifically with Substance Use Health Challenges

For peer supporters whose work or volunteer role includes primarily intentionally supporting people with lived or living experience of substance use health challenges.

Sessions will take place from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. ET on:

  • Wednesday, November 11, 2026

  • Wednesday, February 3, 2027

  • Wednesday, May 5, 2027

  • Wednesday, August 4, 2027

Apply to Participate: Clinical Environment CoP
Apply to Participate: BIPOC Peer Supporters CoP
Apply to Participate: Substance Use Health Peer Supporters CoP

Who Can Participate?

The National Communities of Practice are intended for peer supporters who are currently working or volunteering in peer support roles.

You may apply to the stream—or streams—that best reflect your identity, role, and experience. Each stream has a separate application so that we can clearly understand who would like to participate and create programming that responds to the needs of each group.

We aim to welcome a broad range of participants. Applications will remain open throughout the year so that newly interested peer supporters can join upcoming sessions when space is available.

Participation is free, but advance registration is required.

 

Questions?

If you have questions about the National Community of Practice Program or are unsure which stream is right for you, please contact us at info@peersupportcanada.ca.