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March 22, 2024

Innovation for Impact: Insights from CICan’s CEO Pari Johnston at the Standing Committee on Science and Research

On Thursday, March 21st, CICan’s President and CEO, Pari Johnston, appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research regarding the distribution of federal research funds among Canadian post-secondary institutions.

Pari delivered a compelling testimony on enhancing the impact of college and institute applied research. She underscored the importance of investing in a reimagined approach to college applied study, noting its unique attributes, including a focus on industry partnerships, local relevance, and capacity to enhance productivity, and emphasized three key points:

We must reimagine the role of colleges and institutes in the broader research and innovation ecosystem. Despite our demonstrated and unique expertise in driving impact, particularly in translating research into innovation, colleges and institutes are greatly under-supported (receiving only 2.9% of federal research funds) and could be doing much more if Canada stepped up and funded colleges like equal research partners.
Colleges and institutes are well-positioned to address our country’s major policy challenges, like housing and climate adaptation. To leverage this potential, the government should adopt a challenge-driven research approach that is inclusive of all players—including and especially the college sector—and provides scaled investments.
The Committee should conduct a study to identify barriers hindering colleges and institutes’ expanded involvement in Canada’s research and innovation ecosystem and the potential benefits of their reimagined role for the benefit of Canadians.

Watch the video recording of her testimony:

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January 31, 2024

Sustainable investment in the public post-secondary sector is the national conversation we should be having, not unsustainable growth in international students

Op-ed published in the Toronto Star on January 31, 2024.

By: Pari Johnston, President & CEO, Colleges and Institutes Canada

Canada’s post-secondary sector is facing an unprecedented crisis. Unless you have been living under a rock the past week, you have heard the alarm bells sounding across the country about the rapid-fire rollout of the new international student cap. While the federal government has positioned this as a quick fix for current housing and healthcare challenges, it’s a high-stakes move with far-reaching consequences.

The Immigration Minister himself has called this a “blunt tool.” In fact, it’s far worse. This hasty cap announcement will exacerbate the impact of chronic underinvestment in our publicly supported post-secondary institutions. Provincial spending on post-secondary education has diminished over the last decade. Along with tuition freezes and rising operational costs, publicly funded institutions have come to rely on international student fees to meet training demands and sustain support services for Canadian students.

The Minister’s decision to decrease international student enrollments without adequate notice or consultation has pushed Canada’s post-secondary sector to a tipping point. Never has there been a more urgent need to shift our public policy attention and federal-provincial discussions toward the sustainable funding of Canada’s colleges and universities to drive long-term growth, productivity and innovation in this country.

According to Higher Education Strategy Associates, over the past thirteen years, international student fees have sustained 100 per cent of the increased operating spending by post-secondary institutions. A substantial decline in international student enrollments, particularly in Ontario, where a cap is likely to result in a 50 per cent intake cut, equates to hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars lost.

And this crisis extends beyond finances.

Declining enrollment not only impacts an institute’s financial sustainability but adversely affects the quality and accessibility of education for domestic students, particularly those in rural, remote, and Indigenous and minority language communities. In other words, in the context of chronic underfunding, international students don’t take spots from their domestic peers; they make them by contributing to program viability. Without enough international students, programs – and even entire institutions- may be unable to sustain themselves.

There will also be a domino effect, impacting local economies, businesses, and communities in many parts of the country.

A defining aspect of college and institute education is that curricula are designed with industry to meet business needs. Local businesses, particularly small-to-medium-sized businesses, have long benefited from the economic contributions of international students. Now, they, alongside key industries crucial to Canada’s future, are under threat.

According to Statistics Canada, the current labour shortage for those with a college or institute credential is 198,615 roles, a 65 per cent jump in five years. This shortage extends across various programs with significant international student enrollments, particularly in STEM fields critical for Canada’s economic growth.

In the health care sector, for instance, Statistics Canada reports that 62 per cent of international students training in Canada do so at a college or institute, covering roles such as personal support workers, nurses, and laboratory technicians. This underscores these institutions’ indispensable role in shaping Canada’s future workforce, making the case for sustained public investment even more critical.

Most immediately, we need a commonsense revisit of the cap’s rushed implementation with an end to the current processing moratorium. Over the medium term, the situation requires a long, hard look at public funding for colleges and universities in this country. Federal and provincial governments must engage in a serious dialogue that addresses underlying structural drivers to ensure the viability and vitality of our system.

Failure to do so risks the sector’s sustainability and, thus, the livelihoods of many Canadians and Canada’s economic outlook and social well-being. Colleges and institutes stand ready to partner in this mission-critical public policy conversation and are keen partners in finding solutions.

Let’s end the blunt force trauma of Minister Miller’s self-professed “blunt” tool and focus on the systemic issues that drove this hasty response.

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November 22, 2023

Building a Better Future: Colleges and Institutes’ Role in Student Housing

Student housing in Canada is in a crisis. Rent is increasing, affordable housing options are dwindling, and colleges and institutes are bursting with students striving to learn and make a positive impact on our economy. The result is that many students live in inadequate, unaffordable, or ill-suited places for their needs. These less-than-ideal living situations can affect not only a student’s academic performance but also their overall health and well-being (source, 2019). And it’s no secret that this crisis, like so many others, disproportionately affects equity-deserving groups, exacerbating existing inequalities and hindering their access to quality education and, thus, meaningful career opportunities.

Fortunately, colleges and institutes recognize that safe, accessible, and affordable student housing isn’t just nice to have – it’s a must for delivering inclusive, quality education. It is the primary impetus for why we’re rolling up our sleeves and diving headfirst into establishing new partnerships and implementing innovative, practical solutions to fast-track the development, approvals, and construction of new student accommodations. For example:

Cegep de Rivière-du-Loup is collaborating with the Kamourask School Commission on a student residence project and has developed a directory which contains all the housing offers available to students.
Niagara College is tripling its on-campus housing as part of its new master plan, which also includes renovations and improvements for the existing on-campus residences.
Humber College, Loyalist College, and Georgian College have all formed partnerships to connect students who need affordable living spaces with older adults with available space.
Vancouver Community College plans to redevelop its East Vancouver property to include a new educational space and a series of residential towers of up to 25 storeys that could include more than 3,300 homes.
Conestoga College is using revenue from international student tuition fees to build, buy, lease or renovate buildings in the Kitchener region for its students. The college recently purchased a 12-storey building in downtown Kitchener to use as a student residence and bought a five-story building just blocks from the college’s Waterloo campus.
Selkirk College has launched a student housing project to build a 112-bed project on the Castlegar Campus and a 36-unit project on Nelson’s Silver King Campus to result in better learner outcomes and strengthened communities.

And our role doesn’t stop at student housing solutions; we are also addressing labour shortages in the very industries responsible for building the housing people in Canada need, offering a diverse range of hands-on learning experiences and specialized programs in the trades. Our comprehensive array of over 300 pre-apprenticeship programs is helping the next generation of trades workers gain practical skills and experience in fields like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and more. Of these, 80 programs are designed to support traditionally underrepresented groups, including women and Indigenous communities. For example, Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s School of Continuing Education Indigenous Strategy has partnered with the Joseph A. Remai School of Construction to deliver Green Building Awareness training to Indigenous people.

Even more noteworthy is that these programs are creating a positive impact even before students earn their diplomas. Take, for example, the innovative partnership between Mohawk College and CityHousing Hamilton (CHH). In this collaboration, sixty-three students from the Construction Engineering Technician – Building Renovation program at Mohawk College are gaining valuable work-integrated learning experience as they complete a 112-hour service-learning project that is helping to provide affordable housing units for people who live and work in Hamilton’s diverse community. There is also Holland College, which has partnered with the Government of Prince Edward Island and the Construction Association of PEI to engage students from Carpentry, Construction, Electrical, and Plumbing programs to create 32 tiny homes for Islanders on the social housing registry.

Yet, despite this remarkable work, the reality remains that the housing crisis extends beyond the immediate student population, shaped by a multitude of factors that lie beyond the control of colleges and institutes. It’s why we’re advocating for a holistic approach to addressing student housing needs as an integral part of the comprehensive response to Canada’s overarching housing crisis. We recommend the Government invest $2.6 billion over three years to establish a new Student Housing Loan and Grant Program, which will provide the financial support to help colleges and institutes build 40,000 student beds across the country. We also recommend that the government work to ensure students’ unique housing needs are reflected in federal housing policies, data collection, and programs.

You can learn more about our recommendations in our statement published on National Housing Day.

The faces of three women in CICan branded colours.

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October 30, 2023

Education empowers more women to make history (SDG 4 & 5)

Canadians officially mark Women’s History Month in October, celebrating the achievements and contributions of women and girls across the country and throughout our history as business leaders, politicians, researchers, artists, activists and more.

Did you know that (as of 2021) women globally held only 28.2% of management positions despite accounting for almost 40% of total employment? At the current rate, it will take 140 years to achieve equal representation in leadership in the workplace.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 Quality Education and 5 Gender Equality are intrinsically linked. That’s why it’s so important to empower more women – Indigenous women, women from 2SLGBTQI+ communities, women with disabilities, and newcomer, racialized, and migrant women to achieve their full potential.

A core principle of our work is to empower women and girls around the world. Our approach is based on human rights and promotes access to training, addressing systemic and socio-cultural barriers faced by female students while developing gender-responsive programs and promoting gender-responsive pedagogy. For example:

The Mille femmes: Je suis Femme, j’Existe, je Participe program (One Thousand Women: I am woman, I exist, I participate) empowers some of the most vulnerable women in Senegal by making training, and thus formal employment or self-employment, more accessible and adapted to their needs.

1,000 women in seven regions of Senegal will receive direct support from the project.
The project also works at the community level to advocate, raise awareness, and mobilize political, social, and economic leaders to support the engagement of women as full citizens within their communities.

The Education for Employment Tunisia Al-Najah program increases the economic autonomy of young graduates in Tunisia – particularly female graduates – living in underprivileged regions of the country, while reducing the country’s unemployment rate and combating poverty among women.

More than 25,000 students, at least 50% of which are women, will benefit from this project.
The project also ensures that teachers are trained to support their students in gender-sensitive pedagogy, competency-based approaches, female entrepreneurship for educational purposes, and on gender-specific employability strategies.

The Empowerment Through Skills Program (ESP) strengthens alternative pathways to education, employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship for women and adolescent girls in 12 communities across Tanzania. 

More than 700 women and adolescent girls will graduate from gender-sensitive programs. 
PLUS! Thanks to new safeguarding guidelines developed through ESP, nearly 600 postsecondary institutions in Tanzania will have an extra tool to enhance the safety and protection of young women and men against sexual and gender-based violence.

The Canadian International Development Scholarships 2030 program (BCDI 2030) empowers women in 26 eligible countries and Small Island Developing States through high-quality, inclusive education and training opportunities (including technical and professional training) to address inequality, bettering their lives and their communities.

More than 7,000 people will directly benefit from the program, at least 51% of whom are women.

Our work directly supports gender equality in Canada and around the world – and has for more than 50 years. In that time, we have delivered more than 800 projects in more than 100 countries.

Women’s History Month is an opportunity to reflect on how we can empower more women to make history.

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October 2, 2023

Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Reflect, Learn, Act

Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, observed on September 30th, is a day of profound significance. It represents our shared commitment as a country to acknowledge and confront the historical injustices inflicted upon Indigenous peoples, especially the atrocities of the residential school system. Although Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is committed to promoting continuous reflection, learning and action throughout the year, this day offers us a unique opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to reconciliation and deepen our collective understanding of Indigenous history in Canada.

The Role of Colleges and Institutes

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) identifies education as one of the five key areas requiring reform to attain reconciliation. This recognition underscores the pivotal role of colleges and institutes in Canada’s reconciliation journey. We take immense pride in this role, especially given we are the primary postsecondary education providers for Indigenous learners. Over 86% of Indigenous people reside within 50km of a college campus.

According to Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census data, colleges and institutes are making great strides. Out of the 37% of Indigenous people in Canada who hold a postsecondary credential, an impressive 75% obtained it from a college or institute. While this progress is encouraging, it’s crucial to acknowledge that disparities persist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Additionally, the fact that fewer than half of Indigenous people have attained a postsecondary credential serves as a reminder that reconciliation is a vital and ongoing effort.

We are proud of the fact that colleges and institutes are far from idle when it comes to reconciliation. We actively engage with Indigenous communities across the country to dismantle barriers and cultivate a culture of respect and inclusion within our institutions. Here are just a few of the many ways we’re taking concrete actions to advance reconciliation:

Algonquin College’s Mamidosewin Centre offers a range of services and programs to support Indigenous students, including cultural activities, counselling, and academic support.
Cégep de Sept-Îles implemented various initiatives to support Indigenous students, including access to sharing dinners, a First Nations Navigator and a First Nations Outreach Committee.
The Yukon College’s Indigenous Governance Program offers students the skills, experience and knowledge to build northern leadership capacity and work collaboratively within the unique governance landscape of the North.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) demonstrates its commitment to reconciliation by waiving tuition fees for eligible Indigenous students.
Cape Breton University created initiatives like the Purdy Crawford Chair in Aboriginal Business Studies and the Unama’ki College, which focus on Indigenous knowledge, culture, and business.
The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s Indigenous Relations Strategy includes partnerships with Indigenous communities, support for Indigenous students, and the integration of Indigenous perspectives into curriculum and campus activities.
The College of the Rockies’ Indigenous Student Services serve all self-identified First Nations, Métis and Inuit students and community members with training and education supports, including academic and career assessments, access to cultural gatherings and events and access to emergency funding sources.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Indigenous Student Success Strategy supports Indigenous student success and includes academic advising, cultural support, and partnerships with Indigenous organizations to enhance access to education.
Indigenous Languages Programs at Nunavut Arctic College are dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Inuktitut languages and are crucial for maintaining Indigenous language and culture in the region

Learn and Reflect:

For those seeking a deeper understanding of Indigenous history in Canada, here’s a curated list of our go-to resources:

Take Action:

Feeling inspired? Colleges and institutes can continue to take a proactive step by joining the 72 institutions that have signed CICan’s Indigenous Education Protocol. It underscores the importance of structures and approaches to address Indigenous peoples’ learning needs and support self-determination and socio-economic development of Indigenous communities.

And join us for the National Indigenous Education Symposium 2023 – we hope to see you there!

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September 18, 2023

From Local Action to Global Impact: CICan’s ImpAct Climate Challenge & Beyond

The world is facing many challenges, with the fight against climate change at the forefront. To inspire hope and maintain the drive toward solutions, it’s essential that we connect the dots between local actions and global goals. This notion takes centre stage as we celebrate Global Goals Week and mark the launch of the second annual CICan’s ImpAct Climate Challenge – an initiative that is more than just a campaign to reduce greenhouse gases; it’s a pathway to addressing the broader spectrum of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

What is the ImpAct Climate Challenge?

The ImpAct Climate Challenge empowers students, staff, and faculty members at colleges and institutes across the country to actively reduce greenhouse gas emissions on campus and in their personal lives.

From October 11 until November 22, participants will test their climate knowledge and learn actionable strategies to drive impactful changes throughout their daily lives. They can also enter weekly draws, qualify for a grand prize, and boost their college or institute’s chance to win one of four $3,000 bursaries for a climate leader.

While the challenge’s primary focus naturally aligns with SDG 13 (Climate Action), it also delves into critical themes such as energy, food, transportation and waste, addressing other vital SDGs, including SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). It’s a powerful example of how collective, local action can drive progress toward our global goals.

Sign up for the Challenge. Ask students to participate. Ask your colleagues to get involved.

Colleges, institutes, and the Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 actionable items that form the basis of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. They are a global call to action for countries to work together to solve issues that affect us all – like poverty, hunger, inequality, and climate change – while planning for a long-term equitable, peaceful, and prosperous future. Visit our blog to learn more about how colleges and institutes act on the SDGs every day:

Read:  Climate change is a global emergency that requires collective action, at all levels and across all sectors (SDG 13 & SDG 17). A sustainable future requires us to do our part – SDG 13 challenges us to take urgent action to combat climate change. Our new milestone report, “Are We Ready?” is a scan and compilation of college and institute leadership in climate action
Read: We all have a role to play in energy efficiency (SDG 7). SDG 7 challenges us to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Colleges and institutes are leaders in our renewable energy future. They train people to work in the clean and renewable energy sector and support industry to find innovative solutions to energy challenges in their communities.
Read: Sustainable food ensures a sustainable future. SDG 12 challenges us to work together to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. Food is a big part of that, including accounting for food that is lost, wasted, or produced unsustainably. That’s why the work colleges and institutes do in sustainable food and agricultural innovation is so important
Read: We need biodiversity to improve air quality (SDG 15). SDG 15 challenges us to do more to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of our land ecosystems. Training more people to work in forest conservation, natural resources, and land management is one of the ways colleges and institutes help improve the air we breathe.
Read: Carefully managing our oceans is key to a sustainable future (SDG 14). Covering more than 70% of the planet, oceans support the environment and make the Earth habitable for humans. Colleges and institutes are helping to protect life below water by leading ground-breaking research in the marine and coastal sectors.

Three hands pointing in a forward direction.

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September 5, 2023

A Preview of Colleges and Institutes Canada’s Fall Advocacy Agenda

The Fall months bring with them an invigorating energy. It is a season of transformation and renewal, particularly within the post-secondary sector, as learners, educators, and administrators begin a new academic year. For Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), it’s a time to reaffirm our commitment to creating better futures for people and communities and amplify our advocacy agenda for the year ahead.

This year, aligning with the government’s heightened focus on youth, our priorities gain a renewed purpose. We’re zeroing in on our key priority areas and driving practical solutions that strengthen our system’s ability to cultivate diverse, confident, and resilient leaders and workers prepared to take on future challenges and propel Canada forward.

Here’s an overview of those solutions as recommended in our recent submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance – Pre-budget Consultations in Advance of Budget 2024:

Supporting the Supporters: As labour gaps persist, we remain focused on ensuring our members receive the support needed to fulfil their critical roles producing highly skilled and future-ready workers. We’re asking the government to increase investments in the Canada Social Transfer escalator, which aids provinces and territories in funding vital social programs like post-secondary education.
Giving Learners a Place to Call Home: Recognizing the severity of Canada’s housing crisis, colleges and institutes are eager to be a part of the solution. We’re pushing for the government to integrate students’ unique housing needs into federal housing policies, programs, and data, as well as introduce a new Student Housing Loan and Grant Program.

Supporting Learners in a Globalized World: Global skills are crucial in today’s interconnected world. It’s why we are advocating for the permanency of key programs, like the Global Skills Opportunity pilot program, along with increased funding to facilitate outbound student mobility and strengthen Canada’s global education standing.
Advancing Reconciliation: Reconciliation remains a cornerstone of our advocacy. We maintain an unwavering focus on securing substantial investments in programs like the Post-Secondary Support Program and tailored strategies for Inuit and Metis post-secondary education to foster Indigenous economic mobility and enrich Canada’s potential.
Supporting Learners’ Mental Health: Students’ mental health affects their ability to thrive. As mental health challenges continue to rise, we are underscoring the importance of investing in student mental health support services at post-secondary institutions.
Leveraging College Applied Research to Support Small Businesses: Colleges continue to play an increasing role in innovation and tackling pressing issues like climate change. We are advocating to enhance colleges’ ability to compete for research funding and ensure equity of opportunity in Canada’s innovation ecosystem.

How will we ensure these recommendations become a reality? As the collective voice of colleges and institutes, our advocacy efforts over the coming months will focus on:

raising awareness of our members’ invaluable contributions and ensuring their concerns reach the highest levels of government through impactful reports, publications, and meetings with key government officials (see our latest submissions);
ensuring our members’ active participation in critical discussions, like the House of Commons Standing Committees and high-impact events, such as our upcoming annual CICan on the Hill; and
amplifying our collective voice through strategic communication initiatives that target national, regional, and online media outlets (see the latest news from CICan).

Stay tuned as we embark on an exciting new year of advocacy as colleges and institutes continue to propel Canada forward.

two female and two male students standing in front of college with a green overlay.

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August 14, 2023

The importance of skilled trades in building a sustainable and inclusive future (SDG 4, 9 & 11)

On July 15th, we celebrated World Youth Skills Day and the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. One area of employment that deserves particular attention is the skilled trades.

The demand for skilled tradespeople is at an all-time high. According to Statistics Canada, it is estimated that 700,000 skilled trade workers are expected to retire between 2019 and 2028, creating an increasingly high number of job vacancies.

While it may not be immediately apparent, the skilled trades, which include professions like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and more, play an increasingly critical role in promoting sustainable development. Not only do the skilled trades drive economic growth, but they contribute to the long-term viability and resilience of our communities. They’re also key to advancing innovative technologies like energy-efficient construction, renewable energy installations, and green technologies, which helps us get closer to our net zero goals.

Recognizing the critical importance of skilled trades in securing a sustainable future, inspiring the next generation of tradespeople becomes paramount.

This is particularly true among equity-deserving groups – not just as a matter of equality but as an essential step toward building a stronger and more inclusive future. By tapping into a larger talent pool, we can enhance problem-solving capabilities, meet labour market demands, and create a workforce that truly reflects the diversity of our communities (as outlined here).

Colleges and institutes are experts in hands-on learning and offer over 300 pre-apprenticeship programs in over 20 skilled trades. Over 80 of those programs are designed to support traditionally underrepresented groups in the trades. CICan is committed to helping members promote and develop these programs as a means of building a sustainable and inclusive future and is proud to lead the Career Launcher Apprenticeships program, which provides financial incentives to small and medium-sized employers in construction and manufacturing sectors to help them hire first-year apprentices in 39 Red Seal trades.

New National Safety Workwear Discount Program for Students

CICan and Mark’s Commercial have teamed up to increase the participation of equity-deserving groups and improve safety in the skilled trades. As part of the partnership, Mark’s is offering students from member institutions an exclusive 20% discount on in-store purchases of safety workwear and personal protective equipment. A percentage of product sales generated through this partnership will then be reinvested in student bursaries. Students can access the discount code here.

Further Reading:

How do you ensure the sustainability of the trades? Keeping up with the demand for skilled trades workers in Canada requires more effective action to attract people from underrepresented groups to pre-apprenticeship programs and, eventually, to a promising career. That’s where we come in. Read more on the blog.
Financial incentives empower small and medium-sized businesses. Many are calling labour shortages in skilled trades a crisis. By taking advantage of financial incentives and training resources, businesses can contribute to the growth of the construction industry while nurturing a skilled and engaged workforce. Listen to the podcast with Ashley from the Career Launcher Apprenticeships team.
Green literacy is a new take on skills. Part of building a sustainable future is equipping youth with the skills they need to get green jobs. Just under 1,000 total college and institute programs (or approximately 10% of all programs) are specifically focused on sustainability. Read more on the blog.

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June 19, 2023

There is no sustainability without equity (SDG 10)

June is a unique month dedicated to celebrating diversity and promoting true inclusivity. It marks the convergence of two periods of recognition: Pride Month and National Indigenous Peoples Month.

Both are celebratory but draw attention to the ongoing journey toward equity and reconciliation. SDG 10 challenges us to reduce inequalities within and among countries, including income inequality, political and social inclusion, discrimination, and representation. It lies at the centre of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The role of colleges and institutes.

Canada’s colleges and institutes understand their critical role in reducing inequalities. As the primary access points to postsecondary education for many equity-deserving groups, we actively engage with community partners to remove barriers to education and promote a culture of respect and inclusion in our spaces. Here are just a few of the many ways colleges and institutes are showing their support this month, and beyond:

Red Deer Polytechnic, alongside its student’s association and Central Alberta Pride, has demonstrated its support to the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities through a flag-raising ceremony.
Assiniboine Community College has an Indigenization strategy to instil Indigenous worldviews, knowledge, and perspectives from the diverse Indigenous cultures at every level of our organization.
Cégep Heritage College has an Indigenizing Project to assist CEGEP teachers in the work of indigenizing the curriculum.
Sheridan College‘s student union is hosting several community events and offering students an opportunity to take a trip to the Toronto Pride Parade with them on Sunday, June 25.
Thompson River University provides its community various opportunities to learn about Indigenous people, cultures, histories, and stories of the local Secwépemc people and other Indigenous nations.
George Brown College‘s Office of Anti-Racism, Equity and Human Rights Services promotes fairness, equity, accountability, and transparency year-round.
Cégep de l’Outaouais has a community of practice that brings together staff to share their knowledge and expertise to bring about changes in their professional practices towards greater inclusivity.

While significant efforts are underway, we continuously seek new ways to address the need to do more. This commitment to equity goes beyond mere obligation. We consider equity an essential component of sustainability. And we are not the only ones who think so. The World Bank highlights that addressing inequalities is vital to eradicating poverty, while the World Health Organization emphasizes that equity is a fundamental determinant of health.

The good news? Access to learning is one of the best ways to reduce inequalities, and the data shows that more and more individuals traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education recognize colleges and institutes as accessible options.

Join us in taking action.

Let us use the month of June as fuel to ignite greater change. Here are some of the ways you can take action:

Join the 50-30 Challenge, which aims to advance equity, diversity, inclusion and economic prosperity from coast to coast to coast by ensuring everyone has a seat at the table.
Sign the Indigenous Education Protocol, which underscores the importance of structures and approaches required to address Indigenous peoples’ learning needs and support self-determination and socio-economic development of Indigenous communities.
Commit to learning about the history of residential schools, listen to survivors’ stories and reflect on our role in creating a better, more equitable future for Indigenous peoples. Here are just a few of the many resources out there to get you started:

And about the diverse experiences and challenges faced by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community by checking out:

- Government of Canada’s 2022 Pride Guide
- Egale Canada Research Papers on topics that reflect the local lived realities of 2SLGBTQI communities in Canada and internationally
- Red River Polytech Pride resources
- Centennial College parent and child Pride resources

Lastly, keep an eye on your inbox as we’ll soon announce the date for this year’s CICan Indigenous Education Symposium.

Author: Katrina King

Innovation for Impact: Insights from CICan’s CEO Pari Johnston at the Standing Committee on Science and Research

Sustainable investment in the public post-secondary sector is the national conversation we should be having, not unsustainable growth in international students

Building a Better Future: Colleges and Institutes’ Role in Student Housing

Education empowers more women to make history (SDG 4 & 5)

Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Reflect, Learn, Act

From Local Action to Global Impact: CICan’s ImpAct Climate Challenge & Beyond

A Preview of Colleges and Institutes Canada’s Fall Advocacy Agenda

Top Trends Expected to Shape the Post-Secondary Sector this School Year (SDG 4, 5, 8, 10 & 13)

The importance of skilled trades in building a sustainable and inclusive future (SDG 4, 9 & 11)

There is no sustainability without equity (SDG 10)