Colleges and Institutes Canada

Colleges and Institutes Canada
Collèges et instituts Canada
AbbreviationCICan
Formation1972; 54 years ago (1972)
TypeHigher Education Associations in Canada
Legal statusNon-profit
PurposeAdvocacy and unification
HeadquartersOttawa, Ontario, Canada
Region served
Canada
Membership127 (2025)
Official language
English, French
Board Chair
Pierre Zundel
President & CEO
Pari Johnston
Main organ
Board of Directors
AffiliationsWorld Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics, UNEVOC, EduCanada
Websitecollegesinstitutes.ca
Formerly called
Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC)

Colleges and Institutes Canada (French: Collèges et instituts Canada), commonly known as CICan, is a national voluntary membership organization representing Canada’s public colleges, institutes, polytechnics, CEGEPs, and Indigenous Institutes of Education. Established in 1972, CICan serves as a coordinating and advocacy body for the public college sector, engaging with the federal government, industry partners, and international organizations.[1]

CICan facilitates collaboration among its members, supports leadership development and applied research, and administers domestic and international programs funded primarily by the Government of Canada. Its headquarters are located in Ottawa, Ontario.

Membership

Institutional members

CICan’s membership is composed of publicly funded Canadian post-secondary institutions, including colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, polytechnics, university colleges, and universities with a college mandate. As of 2025, the association represents 127 member institutions across all provinces and territories.

Associate members

In addition to institutional members, CICan offers associate membership to partner organizations that share aligned mandates, including provincial and territorial associations, non-profit organizations, and education or workforce development consortiums.

Governance

CICan is governed by a Board of Directors composed of regional and at-large representatives. The Board includes six regional directors representing Canada’s geographic regions, six at-large directors who are heads of member institutions, and four at-large directors from the public sector. The Board appoints the President and Chief Executive Officer, who oversees the association’s operations and strategic direction.

History

Origins and early development (1967–1972)

The origins of Colleges and Institutes Canada can be traced to the establishment of the National Commission for the Community College in Canada in 1967. The Commission examined the role of emerging community colleges and recommended the creation of a national organization to represent the sector at the federal level.[2] In response, the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) was founded in 1972. Alan Goldenberg was appointed as the organization’s first President and Chief Executive Officer.[3]

Expansion and international engagement (1970s–1980s)

During the 1970s, the ACCC expanded its advocacy activities and established working relationships with several federal departments.[4] By the late 1970s, the association had begun participating in international cooperation and development initiatives, reflecting the growing role of colleges and institutes in skills training and workforce development. Throughout the 1980s, the ACCC increased its involvement in applied research, environmental initiatives, and international education projects, supporting the sector’s expanding mandate beyond traditional teaching functions.[4]

Policy influence and federal engagement (1990s)

In the 1990s, the ACCC relocated its secretariat from Toronto to Ottawa to strengthen its engagement with the federal government and national stakeholders.[5] During this period, the association advocated for the inclusion of colleges and institutes in federal research funding programs. In 1997, colleges and institutes became eligible recipients of funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, marking a significant policy development for the sector.[6]

Program development and sector initiatives (2000s)

In the early 2000s, the ACCC expanded its activities to include Indigenous education, immigration-related programming, and international development. In 2006, the association convened its first Indigenous Education Symposium[4]. In 2007, it launched the Canadian Immigration Integration Project and advanced the “Education for Employment” framework, initiatives designed to support workforce integration and labour market participation.[4]

During this decade, the association and several member institutions participated in the development of Tra Vinh Community College in Vietnam (later Tra Vinh University) through a project funded by Global Affairs Canada. The initiative supported vocational training and applied education based on the Canadian community college model.[7]

Rebranding and reconciliation efforts (2010s)

In 2014, the Association of Canadian Community Colleges rebranded as Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).[8] That same year, CICan introduced the Indigenous Education Protocol, which outlined principles to guide member institutions in improving outcomes for Indigenous learners and advancing reconciliation.[9]

Recent developments (2020s)

During the COVID‑19 pandemic, CICan transitioned many of its activities to virtual platforms while continuing to support member institutions.[4] In 2021, CICan collaborated with Saskatchewan Polytechnic to develop the Building Capacity in Long‑Term Care program, responding to workforce shortages in the long‑term care sector.[10]

In 2024, CICan publicly expressed concerns regarding federal reforms to international student permits and the Post‑Graduation Work Permit program. Media coverage and public statements from the association highlighted potential impacts on post‑secondary institutions, regional labour markets, and local communities.[11][12]

Past Presidents

Name Term started Term ended Years served Organization Name
1 Alan Goldenberg 1972 1986 14 The Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC)
2 Tom Norton[13] 1986 1998 12 The Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC)
3 Gerald (Gerry) Brown[14] 1998 2007 9 The Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC)
4 James (Jim) Knight[15] 2007 2013 6 The Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC)
5 Denise Amyot[16] 2013 2023 10 The Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC), changed to Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) in 2014
6 Pari Johnston[17] 2023 Present Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan)

See also

References

  1. ^ Government of Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Office of the Deputy Minister, Strategy and Innovation Policy Sector (2021-06-17). "Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan)". ised-isde.canada.ca. Archived from the original on 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2026-01-30. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Orton, Larry (December 2003). A new understanding of postsecondary education in Canada: A discussion paper. Statistics Canada. ISBN 0-662-35772-8.
  3. ^ "ACCC – Association of Canadian Community Colleges." Archived from the original on 1 February 1998.
  4. ^ a b c d e "CICan's 50th Anniversary". Colleges and Institutes Canada. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  5. ^ "ACCC Publications – Annual Report 1999–2000 (Message from the President)." Archived from the original on 13 October 2006.
  6. ^ Canada Foundation for Innovation. "Eligibility of Colleges and Institutes." Government of Canada publications (1997).
  7. ^ Canada, Global Affairs. "A new type of school: Cross-Canada community college model brings lasting change to Vietnam". GAC. Archived from the original on 2025-11-16. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  8. ^ Canada, Colleges and Institutes. "Our Brand". Colleges and Institutes Canada. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  9. ^ Maclean's (2016-02-01). "Colleges promise to meld Indigenous learning into programming". Macleans.ca. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  10. ^ "New program to address labour shortages in long-term care". leaderpost. Archived from the original on 2025-07-20. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  11. ^ "International student permit cuts are pushing away prospective students, experts say | CBC News". CBC. Archived from the original on 2026-01-09. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  12. ^ "Groups representing Canadian universities, colleges raise 'significant concerns' about international student cap". The Globe and Mail. 2024-01-30. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  13. ^ "ACCC - Association of Canadian Community Colleges". 1998-02-01. Archived from the original on 1 February 1998. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  14. ^ "ACCC Publications - Annual Report 1999-2000 (Message from the President)". 2006-10-13. Archived from the original on 13 October 2006. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  15. ^ "ACCC President & CEO". 2012-08-12. Archived from the original on 12 August 2012. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  16. ^ Canada, Colleges and Institutes. "Colleges and Institutes Canada Announces the Departure of Long-Time President and CEO, Denise Amyot – Colleges and Institutes Canada". www.collegesinstitutes.ca. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  17. ^ Canada, Colleges and Institutes. "Colleges and Institutes Canada Appoints Pari Johnston as President & CEO – Colleges and Institutes Canada". www.collegesinstitutes.ca. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Canadian_Community_Colleges