Impact Goal 1
Accelerate Canada’s economic growth by promoting the value and impact of college and institute research and development partnerships with SMEs and communities in high-growth sectors
By March 2026, CICan is committed to increasing federal funding for college applied research and innovation initiatives. We will raise awareness among Parliamentarians, government and research funders about the unique strengths of colleges and institutes in responding to the economic and social innovation needs of local businesses and communities and in derisking new technology investment and adoption to address Canada’s productivity and competitiveness gaps.
How?
- Advocating for a reimagined approach and increased funding for college applied research and innovation within the federal R and D ecosystem
- Engaging in relevant federal policy consultations and conducting policy development, program design, data collection and dissemination, including mission-driven research, national security and infrastructure issues
- Organizing strategic stakeholder fora to showcase the impacts of college applied research and innovation partnerships in addressing Canada’s most pressing challenges
Impact Goal 2
Boost Canada’s job-ready workforce by promoting the value and impact of innovative college and institute education and training in high-demand sectors
By March 2026, CICan is committed to increasing federal funding for college-and-institute-based skills and training initiatives. We will raise awareness among Parliamentarians, government, industry and labour leaders about colleges’ cutting- edge and inclusive college and institute training programs and innovative upskilling and reskilling initiatives that provide rapid pathways to employment to meet Canada’s critical labour shortages.
How?
- Advocating for increased federal funding for college-and-institute-based skills and training initiatives
- Engaging in relevant federal policy consultations and conducting policy development, program design, data collection and dissemination, including on issues related to immigration, international student and newcomer integration
- Organizing stakeholder fora to showcase the impacts of innovative college and institute education and training in addressing Canada’s most pressing workforce challenges
- Working with provincial and regional college and institute associations in policy development and outreach
Impact Goal 3
Create strategic opportunities to address shared global challenges by forging new partnerships
By March 2026, CICan is committed to providing members with new opportunities to forge strategic partnerships with relevant institutions around the world, addressing key challenges in both Canada and globally.
How?
- Leveraging our unique expertise in implementing capacity building, student mobility and other types of programs and partnerships
- Collaborating with partner institutions to develop initiatives that address shared challenges
- Seeking funding opportunities from government agencies, foundations, and other sources to support collaborative projects and initiatives
Impact Goal 4
Advance reconciliation by renewing our Indigenous Education Protocol and boosting uptake among member institutions
By March 2026, CICan is committed to completing a mobilization effort around a refreshed Indigenous Education Protocol. Grounded in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action related to postsecondary education, this work will guide CICan and our members in developing and implementing more initiatives to increase representation and participation of Indigenous peoples in college and institute governance, research and educational spaces and systems.
How?
- Assessing and renewing CICan’s Indigenous Education Protocol in co-creation with Indigenous partners, advisors and members and mobilizing wider adoption by more CICan members
- Working with Indigenous-led member institutions to advance their specific goals for leadership, capacity and partnership development to meet community needs
- Advocating for increased federal support for Indigenous students and research
- Deepening our relationships with National Indigenous Organizations to support their goals for enhanced outcomes for college and institute students
Impact Goal 5
Support climate action by promoting college-and-institute-led initiatives
By March 2026, CICan is committed to advancing the sector’s efforts in achieving net zero emissions on campuses by 2050, by collaboratively developing and implementing partnerships and initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of member institutions.
How?
- Advocating for increased federal funding for net-zero-related initiatives on college and institute campuses and green infrastructure
- Supporting research, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and solutions development to assist members in activities to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption on campus
- Developing “greening” curricula