Category: Building Campuses of the Future

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December 16, 2025

This Year’s Actionable Insights

What’s On My Mind? With Pari Johnston.

When Canada and its communities need solutions, colleges and institutes show up – this year was no different. As I mark the end of my second year at CICan, I’m reflecting on how we rose as a sector to meet the moment.

Consider these actionable insights to continue driving our country forward:

1. Be Purposeful

In once-in-a-generation times of national consequence like these, Canada needs our institutions more than ever. We are the key partners in getting things done at pace and scale.

This year, we showed that when we come together to think and act strategically about workforce solutions, coordinate in real time across the sector on program design, and leverage our industry and community partnerships to scale impact, Canada wins.

Impact Follows Purpose

We came together with purpose at CICan’s inaugural Leaders Summit this April to drive bold action for Canada – bringing together the right people at the right time to ask the right questions about where Canada’s challenges, a new government’s priorities, and the big opportunities in postsecondary education take shape.

Next Year: Building a Strong and Secure Canada

Where bold ambition and sector transformation intersect, CICan’s 2026 Connections Conference will turn ideas into actions that align the best of what our sector has to offer with Canada’s most pressing national priorities. We are driving the future of postsecondary education in the direction our country and communities need us to go.

2. Be the Institutions Canada – and its Communities – Need

Through unprecedented challenges this past year, we showed resolve and resilience as a sector and as a country. Canadians held firm in the face of tariffs, transformed industries, and built new trading partnerships – and as a sector, we showed that when we double down on what we do best, our communities come out on top.

Our institutions launched new programs to train the skilled workers who will meet Canada’s AI adoption imperative, retool domestic manufacturing, build more homes better and faster, take care of more patients and aging family members, and support Canada’s energy production and transition – all while ensuring that we remain the most accessible postsecondary institutions in the country.

This resolve to be a beacon of opportunity for our learners and our communities is happening at a time when college leaders face unprecedented operating and financial challenges.

Our college graduates are the builders, makers, and doers Canadians need most. We need to invest in a sustainable public training system for their future and for Canada’s.

Coordination Maximizes Impact

We mobilized this year to form CICan’s College Defence Training and Innovation Network – a pan-Canadian coalition of colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, and polytechnics leading sector action to provide training and research solutions at scale to make real the government’s historic investments in military and defence readiness.

3. Think Place-Based

Ninety-five percent of Canadians live within 50 km of a Canadian college or institute – in every corner of the country, they are anchor institutions for learners, communities, and businesses in times of precarity.

This year, in problem-driven, people-oriented, place-based innovation, we showed that the breadth and reach of our network is a vital Canadian asset.

Innovation Canada Needs

College-led research and innovation bring partners together to develop the economic and social solutions Canada needs most – like building homes better and faster, strengthening our sovereign defence capabilities, boosting energy production and transition, and getting major national projects done.

Colleges lead over 8,500 applied research projects that help businesses – primarily small and medium-sized Canadian enterprises – transform their operations to be more productive and competitive. This translates into nearly 9,000 new products, prototypes, processes, and services that deliver downstream impact that benefits the local economy, that generate and keep wealth at home, and that build strong and prosperous communities.

4. Turn Intentions to Action

As the most accessible postsecondary institutions, we have so much to learn and gain from Indigenous-led approaches to benefit learners, communities, and the entire college system. By working authentically with Indigenous partners, we can turn intention into action to advance greater economic reconciliation.

Meaningful Reconciliation through Action

Together with three of our leading Indigenous Institutes of Education, we launched Mamawi, CICan’s first Indigenous-led national initiative. This is a tremendous opportunity to work together with Indigenous learners and communities and CICan members to benefit all Canadians and to explore building business and entrepreneurship training with a new lens – grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

5. Meet the Moment

Canadians asked for change – and Prime Minister Carney presented a plan to build boldly with strategy and ambition by catalyzing private sector investment and infrastructure, helping businesses harness AI and new technologies to be more productive, and delivering local and national training solutions for Canada’s defence needs.

To achieve the nation-building objectives of Budget 2025, with the right investments, colleges and institutes are ready partners, as we have always been.

This year, we showed that the path to Canada’s future runs right through public colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, polytechnics, and Indigenous Institutes of Education in every corner of the country.

Up Next: A New Strategic Direction

At CICan, we’re always evolving, laser-focused on relevance and impact, for our members, for Canadians, and for our country. This year, we undertook to redefine how we convene, mobilize, and champion our members to build strong colleges, strong communities, and a strong Canada.

There’s more work ahead of us in the coming year. The CICan of the Future is committed to being the national association that best serves our members – and best positions the sector and its leaders to drive the transformation that will define a strong and secure future for Canada – and Canadian communities – from coast to coast to coast.

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September 11, 2025

Real Impact Starts Here

What’s On My Mind? With Pari Johnston.

There is a visceral buzz right now as thousands of students return to postsecondary campuses across the country. I should know – I am the proud parent of one with the same butterflies, hopes and dreams for my kid’s future as parents in Swift Current, Sherbrooke and Sault Ste. Marie.

As college leaders return to campus to welcome these students, there are big priorities and even bigger demands on the horizon.

Members of Parliament will soon return to the House of Commons to hash out a plan to deliver for Canadians – to expand and strengthen trade and export relationships, boost housing construction, invest in national defence, increase energy production, and support businesses to be more productive, among other priorities.

Making it happen will require a vision anchored in and coordinated across every community in the country. 

As a network, it’s time to showcase what we can do. 

The federal government has ambitions to build the strongest economy in the G7. To do so, Canada needs a highly skilled, agile and mobile workforce to build; strong and resilient businesses to grow; and mission-driven, place-based and hands-on innovation to solve our national challenges.

The plan starts on a college campus

  • Your faculty provide training for Canada’s young people, mid-career workers, newcomers and international students, new military recruits, and veterans transitioning into civilian jobs. 
  • Your state-of-the-art facilities equip the next generation of workers with the productivity-boosting skills needed to leverage technological innovations to build more and better. 
  • Your research labs, Centres collégiaux de transfert de technologies and Technology Access Centres develop the solutions that help businesses derisk, adapt, and commercialize new technologies that improve the lives of Canadians.

In short, you meet the moment.

Each time I visit a member college, CEGEP, institute, or polytechnic campus (and I’ve been to over 40 in 9 provinces since I started 18 months ago), I see how our institutions grow talent that delivers on the things we need most, drive new ideas that take us where we need to go, and make real differences in the lives of Canadians.

Join a Coordinated National Campaign

While my team and I continue to tell your story of impact in Ottawa, your on-the-ground expertise and community connections bring that story to life. 

This October, we’re hosting CICan’s inaugural Campus Connection Week – a coordinated engagement effort designed to highlight the work and impact of Canada’s public colleges, institutes, CEGEPs and polytechnics.

  • How to participate? This Fall, invite a Minister, Member of Parliament or Senator to campus – to tour a lab or training space, meet students, faculty, and campus leaders, speak to community partners and showcase the real work colleges and institutes do every day to train skilled workers, support businesses and help build strong, prosperous communities.  Learn more.

Canada has ambitious plans

At a time when the country is facing a deepening housing crisis, aging demographics and critical labour shortages, lagging productivity, rising security demands, and an urgent need to diversify our energy markets and supply, the leadership of our sector matters more than ever. These are not local or isolated issues – they are national in scope and demand coordinated solutions with all levels of government working together with key partners.

In every province and territory, Canada’s public colleges and institutes are strategically positioned to support these priorities and the big projects needed to respond. 

My mission for the coming academic year: that more Parliamentarians will see, hear, and understand that real impact starts here and make the necessary investments.

Training for a Strong and Secure Canada

In the context of Canada’s most pressing challenges, we need colleges and institutes to help build a nation. With strategy, skills, and innovation, our sector can help Build Canada, support Canada’s armed forces, expand Canada’s defence research capabilities, and grow a talent pipeline that will build the national infrastructure needed to deliver.

A strong and secure Canada is a skilled Canada.

Read CICan’s pre-budget submission

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April 1, 2025

Scaling Solutions, Building Our Workforce

What’s on My Mind? With Pari Johnston. 

Canada’s economy is being tested. Global instability, compounding tariffs, supply chain shocks, and aging demographics combined with labour shortages are creating real uncertainty for Canadian industries and workers alike. An economic pivot and rebuild is essential. I’ve written recently about how, at moments like these, coming together matters more than ever.

When the stakes are high, our greatest strength lies in working together with purpose. That’s what CICan’s national skills building programs are all about. 

They unite our sector. They bring together 135 public colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, and polytechnics across Canada to co-create solutions that respond to national challenges—while delivering real, local impact. 

Our Network. Our Strength. 

These programs work because of our members. Deeply rooted in their communities and directly connected with employers, they come together through national initiatives to share expertise, co-create solutions, and develop tools and training resources. These are then shared across our network—amplifying their impact and allowing institutions to adapt them to meet local workforce needs. 

Through this collective effort, our members deliver hands-on training, build new partnerships, and prepare learners at all stages for in-demand jobs.  

Together, we’re: 

And we’re not stopping there. Whether it’s aligning training with labour market data, helping newcomers enter the workforce, or greening trades education, our programs support a stronger, more agile economy. 

The Advantage to Canadians 

The impact of these programs extends far beyond campuses. They help Canadians land good jobs. They give small businesses in rural, remote, Northern and urban communities access to job-ready talent. They help sectors adapt, grow, and compete. 

In short: they make Canada more resilient. 

Because when we train and upskill more workers, Canadian industries grow and adapt. When we respond in real-time to emerging labour market needs, communities survive and thrive. And when we act together, we position Canada to meet the moment—and lead into the future. 

Want to Get Involved? 

For our members, there are already great ways to engage. You can take advantage of existing resources—like our free collection of 200+ virtual simulations for healthcare training, developed by educators across Canada. You can also apply to offer our new upskilling microcredentials, co-developed by 12 member institutions and 28 industry partners to help strengthen high-growth sectors in your communities.  

Don’t forget to check our Perspectives newsletter for regular updates on the ways to participate and benefit from CICan’s national programs. 

Canada needs what public colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, and polytechnics do best. And through our national programs, we’re showing what’s possible when we do it together.

Home / Archive by category "Building Campuses of the Future"
January 21, 2025

Future-Focused Leadership for a Changing Canada

Canada’s public post-secondary sector stands at a pivotal crossroads where significant challenges meet promising opportunities. Rapid policy changes, shifting workforce demands, technological advancements, and the uncertainty of an approaching federal election have created a complex landscape that demands bold, innovative, and forward-thinking leadership.

This is a defining moment—not just for the future of our post-secondary system, but for Canada itself.

Public colleges and institutes play a crucial role in addressing Canada’s biggest challenges, from housing and healthcare to sustainability and workforce productivity. They train the builders, caregivers, innovators, and first responders who form the backbone of our communities and economy. Their success is Canada’s success. 

Introducing the Futures Forum

To support colleges and institutes tackle sector-wide challenges and meet Canada’s evolving needs, CICan is proud to launch the Futures Forum. This new, dynamic concept places transformational leadership at the forefront, connecting decision-makers with powerful insights, cutting-edge analysis, and collaborative opportunities to turn bold ideas into actionable solutions.

Through events like the biennial Leaders Summit and monthly Presidents Circle, the Futures Forum ensures colleges and institutes stay agile, responsive, and primed to lead Canada into a thriving future.

Together, our network of forward-thinking leaders and institutions is shaping what’s to come and driving lasting, positive change for all Canadians.

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November 12, 2024

Be About It: Setting the Tone for Action

Reflecting on the 2024 National Indigenous Education Symposium

“Don’t just talk about it. Be about it.” These powerful words, spoken by an Indigenous student at this year’s National Indigenous Education Symposium, perfectly capture the spirit of the two-and-a-half-day gathering.

From October 27–29, on Mi’kmaw territory in Halifax, Nova Scotia, over 330 Indigenous leaders, educators, and advocates gathered at the National Indigenous Education Symposium, focused on integrating Indigenous perspectives into solutions to address Canada’s most pressing challenges.

The energy of the event cannot be overstated. Participants eagerly reflected, shared, and explored actionable Indigenous-centred approaches to advance real change, including bridging skills gaps, engaging meaningfully with Indigenous learners and communities, and leveraging Indigenous knowledge to drive innovation.  

As Tabatha Bull, President & CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, noted, “Education is a powerful tool of empowerment and self-determination. It provides not only knowledge but also connections that can help revitalize our communities.”

We heard firsthand about the importance of land connections, community relationships, language revitalization, and embedding Indigenous perspectives into institutional decision-making in Canada’s network of public colleges and institutes. Across the 30-plus programs, projects, and partnerships showcased at the symposium, each emphasized the vital role Indigenous Peoples and communities play as partners – not only in education but as solution providers, change-makers, and leaders driving Canada’s economy.

For example, North Island College’s Collaborative Online Indigenous Intercultural Learning Pathway is reimagining online learning through an Indigenous lens, emphasizing land and community connections alongside the Five Rs of Indigenous Education (Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity, Responsibility, and Relationships).

In Saskatchewan, the pawâcikêwikamik: The Innovation Collective, a partnership with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology, is empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs with mentorship, a MakerLodge, and non-repayable microgrants to turn ideas into action, creating new opportunities for community growth. 

Mental health for all students was another major focus. We heard how Canada’s first National Standard for the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Post-Secondary Students is guiding institutions like Assiniboine College and George Brown College in creating lasting impact, particularly for Indigenous students, as these institutions work to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

At Mohawk College, the Centre for Indigenous Relations, Knowledge, & Learning and Indigenous Student Services demonstrated the power of relational collaboration and Indigenous leadership.  Their Tetewatatyenawa:se Approach to Indigenous Engagement guide empowers departments across the college to engage meaningfully with Indigenous peoples, communities, and organizations, embedding Indigenous ways of knowing and doing into policies, procedures, and educational practices. Red Deer Polytechnic reinforced this vision, illustrating how its Reconcili-Action Plan, which integrates Indigenous perspectives into strategic planning, can foster partnerships that uplift all students.

Collège Ahuntsic’s Nidetin Centre (‘I am listening’ in Anishnaabemowin) is driving decolonization efforts through Innu language revitalization, culturally safe healthcare training, land-based humanities practices, and the Indigenization of philosophy courses. The Centre also supports Elders’ knowledge preservation and decolonizes internship practices in Nunavik by bridging non-Indigenous institutions with Indigenous perspectives.

While immense strides have been made, it is clear Indigenous Peoples continue to face complex challenges in securing self-determination, fair representation and equitable access to education. One message to our college community came through loud and clear: reconciliation is not simply a matter of equity, diversity, and inclusion; it’s fundamental to our Canadian identity. It demands more than words – it demands distinct, strategic action that is heartfelt and tailored to the unique needs of Indigenous communities.

Renewing the Indigenous Education Protocol

For CICan, the symposium was a pivotal opportunity to advance our Roadmap to 2026 efforts in key impact areas, particularly our renewed commitment to reconciliACTION. We reflected on our shared vision of fostering and preserving Indigenous culture, knowledge, and history within postsecondary education. This included the start of important discussions to review and refresh CICan’s Indigenous Education Protocol, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Seventy-three CICan members have signed the Protocol, and much has changed in the Canadian and post-secondary context since the Protocol’s launch 10 years ago.

What did we hear?

While the Protocol’s principles are strong and relevant, challenges remain in operationalizing them across institutions. A clear call emerged for more effective collaboration with smaller Indigenous-led postsecondary institutions, honouring their cultural sovereignty and the First Nations Principles of OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession). But perhaps most importantly, we heard that the Protocol must be seen as a shared responsibility across all departments. Its principles must be recognized as a strategic imperative, fully integrated across CICan member institutions to drive authentic, lasting change.

Looking forward

In the coming months, CICan will work closely with members, our National Indigenous Advisory Committee and Indigenous partners to refresh the Protocol and mobilize broader member uptake. Our focus will be on ensuring that it fosters institution-wide commitments to reconciliation and targets stubborn challenges and gaps. We remain steadfast in recognizing that reconciliation in Canada’s post-secondary sector must be a living, breathing commitment—one seen as a powerful tool for meeting Canada’s challenges with Indigenous perspectives at the forefront.

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October 28, 2024

Canada’s Climate Goals Start on Campus

Addressing Canada’s big challenges requires creative solutions. As natural innovators, colleges and institutes can and must be key ecosystem partners. Through skills training to meet labour demand, mission-driven applied research, and community leadership, they drive practical solutions that make an impact at the local, regional, and national levels.

As the voice of the sector, CICan’s focus is on bringing together our members in ways that maximize our collective impact. And, as the urgency of climate change grows, that unified action is more important than ever.

Our work is directed across five key areas of impact – one of which is climate action. By empowering our members, we enable them to meet their full potential as leaders of innovative solutions to our climate challenges.

Case in point? Just this past year, through our work in ImpAct-Climate, we enabled ten colleges and institutes to transform their campuses into living sites for sustainability.

Campus Living Labs – Learning, Awareness, and Action

Campus Living Labs are creative projects that integrate applied research, teaching, campus operations, and community engagement—often incorporating Indigenous perspectives and approaches—to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide students and staff with hands-on experience in tackling climate challenges.

Whether anchored in community collaboration or addressing high-level operational change, the projects not only contribute to institutional climate objectives, but also serve as an important mechanism for raising climate awareness, giving students, staff, faculty, and community members the chance to see the impact  of our actions first-hand and draw connections between our daily lives and our global communities.

Our new Campus Living Labs Report features 10 of these innovative projects showcasing their impact, key lessons learned, and offering inspiration for members looking to implement similar initiatives on their campuses.

Explore the new Campus Living Labs Report 

Discover successful projects, gain insights from best practices, and find strategies to enhance sustainability efforts at your institution.

Read the Report

The Impact Doesn’t Stop There 

Projects like these are examples of the real impact and reach of colleges and institutes in nearly every community across Canada. But we can’t stop there.

We’re committed to further advancing our sector’s efforts in climate action by collaboratively developing and implementing partnerships and initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of member institutions.

That includes things like advocating for increased federal funding for net-zero-related initiatives on campuses, investing in green infrastructure, supporting research, knowledge sharing, capacity building, as well as developing green skills programs and curricula to equip Canada’s workforce for the challenges ahead.

Access Tools and Resources  from our ImpAct-Climate Program

Explore tools, training, and collaborative opportunities tailored to the needs of educators and staff at Canadian colleges and institutes. Find events, insights, success stories, and more. Visit the website.

The Path Forward

Canada’s colleges and institutes are more than educators; they are innovators and problem-solvers committed to building a better future. By enabling local solutions that support national climate goals, colleges and institutes are making substantial progress in reducing emissions.

In short, for meaningful impact towards Canada’s climate goals, action starts on campus.