Atlantic Alliance for Inclusive Politics
Be the Peace Institute, PEI Coalition for Women’s Leadership, Alexa McDonough Institute
April 2026 - March 2028
The Atlantic Alliance for Inclusive Politics (AAIP) is a 24-month, regional initiative to address rising hate, harassment, and systemic exclusion in civic and political spaces across Atlantic Canada. The project, a partnership among the PEI Coalition for Women’s Leadership, the Alexa McDonough Institute and Be the Peace Institute will formalize and expand a pre-existing interprovincial working group, the Violence & Harassment in Politics Working Group, between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, into a long-term, cross-sectoral alliance focused on building safer, more inclusive political environments for those underrepresented in these key decision making spaces.
This project is urgently needed. Atlantic Canada is experiencing its fastest population growth since 1952, with increasing cultural and demographic diversity (Atlantic Opportunities Agency, 2024). At the same time, 63% of municipal politicians in Canada report experiencing harassment, with disproportionate targeting of leaders with intersectional identities (Canadian Municipal Barometer, 2025). Anecdotally, the PEI Coalition for Women’s Leadership staff have seen a 200% increase in the number of elected officials in their province seeking support from the organization due to harassment. These conditions are pushing diverse candidates away from political participation, eroding trust in public institutions, limiting long-term inclusive policy development, and impacting social inclusion.
Through regular strategic meetings, establishment of a youth advisory committee, the creation of an Online Support Network, and a public awareness campaign, AAIP will bring together elected officials, governments, grassroots organizations, and community leaders to share strategies, influence policy, and promote democratic participation among equity-deserving populations, particularly women, BIPOC individuals, people with disabilities, and rural residents.
Some of the project goals are:
A formalized, interprovincial coalition with a shared strategic action plan to address rising hate and discrimination in civic engagement,
An operational Online Support Network for elected leaders,
Active engagement of BIPOC and rural youth in political dialogue,
Increased visibility of anti-hate strategies and inclusive leadership tools,
Strengthened policy frameworks to promote safety and equity in politics.