Category: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

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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.

Home / Archive by category "Advancing Sustainable Development Goals"
June 17, 2024

By the Numbers: Indigenous Post-Secondary Education in Canada

Indigenous postsecondary education in Canada is a dynamic landscape marked by resilience, progress, and ongoing challenges. The latest data from Statistics Canada (StatsCan), as well as the 2021 census data, sheds light on this landscape, emphasizing the pivotal role of colleges and institutes and the need for ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access for these students. 

Let’s take a look!

Indigenous Post-Secondary Education Trends

Despite facing challenges, Indigenous Peoples have made notable strides in education. While 16% of Indigenous peoples hold a university degree (compared to 36% of the overall population), 23% have obtained a college credential, and 11% have completed apprenticeships—figures that surpass those of the general population (Statistics Canada, 2021). Nevertheless, while the share of Indigenous adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher has increased since 2016, the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations has widened.

Source: Melvin, Alexandria. 2023. “Postsecondary educational attainment and labour market outcomes among Indigenous peoples in Canada, findings from the 2021 Census”. Insights on Canadian Society. October. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 75-006-X.

Did you know? Half of Indigenous new postsecondary entrants start their journey at colleges, compared to 37% of non-Indigenous entrants (Statistic Canada, 2024). Additionally, Indigenous new entrants at colleges are far more likely to be women and more likely to be 20 years or older compared to non-Indigenous new entrants. These statistics underscore the critical role colleges play in providing accessible and supportive educational opportunities – including delivery in community and essential wrap-around services – for Indigenous learners at any stage in their lives, regardless of their life circumstances.

Source: Statistics Canada. Table 37-10-0264-01 New entrants to postsecondary education by Indigenous identity, educational qualification, field of study (STEM and BHASE (non-STEM) groupings), gender and age.

Navigating Challenges: Regional Disparities and Remote Living 

The educational journey for Indigenous peoples isn’t without its challenges. Historical and ongoing injustices, such as the legacy of residential schools and intergenerational trauma, coupled with ongoing structural challenges like limited access to educational institutions, food insecurity and lack of childcare options while in school, have long cast a shadow over Indigenous education.

Among Indigenous populations, First Nations youth, in particular, face numerous challenges. These include higher rates of young parenthood, low-income households, and rural residence, contributing to a disparity in postsecondary completion rates compared to non-Indigenous youth. As a result of these challenges, non-Indigenous youth are nearly twice as likely (72%) to have completed or recently attended a postsecondary program as First Nations youth (37%) (Statistics Canada, 2023).

Source: Layton, Jaclyn. 2023. “First Nations youth: Experiences and outcomes in secondary and postsecondary learning.” June. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 81-599-X.

Adding to the complexity, Indigenous communities are disproportionately situated in rural and remote areas. In 2016, 26% of Indigenous individuals aged 19 to 45 lived in these regions, in stark contrast to just 3% of the non-Indigenous population (Statistics Canada, 2023). 

How does this translate into educational outcomes? Those who lived in easily accessible areas completed high school in much higher proportions than those in very remote areas. An expanded age analysis also reveals that there are higher rates of high school completion and postsecondary education attendance among First Nations individuals living outside rural areas, with almost half of females and over a third of males attending or completing postsecondary education.

Source: Layton, Jaclyn. 2023. “Distance as a Factor for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit High School Completion.” Education, learning and training: Research Paper Series. June. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 81-595-M.

Proximity to postsecondary institutions, therefore, plays a crucial role in the success of Indigenous learners. Fortunately, 86% of Indigenous Peoples live within 50km of a college campus or service centre. However, proximity alone is not enough. Offering flexible, adaptable, and culturally responsive options—such as outreach programs, community partnerships, and online resources—is essential to bridging the gap in postsecondary education and empowering Indigenous learners to achieve their full potential.

Indigenous-led institutes across the country, such as those in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia along with Northern colleges like Nunavut Arctic College and Yukon University, also play a unique leadership role. Their locations, combined with their capacity and cultural understanding, enable them to address community-driven needs and deliver programs that are relevant, accessible, and empowering for Indigenous learners.

Looking Ahead: Empowering Indigenous Youth for a Stronger Future

The Public Policy Forum reports that by 2026, around 350,000 Indigenous youth will reach adulthood. Empowering these individuals with high-quality, culturally relevant postsecondary education and training will not only promote social inclusion and justice but also help Canada address its underemployment and skill gaps. It is estimated that supporting these young people can boost our economy by a significant $27.7 billion each year (Public Policy Forum, 2024).

With their unique insights, Indigenous knowledge systems offer valuable solutions for addressing Canada’s pressing issues. More and more colleges are recognizing this and engaging in applied research community partnerships with Indigenous organizations as part of their commitment to social innovation and partner-driven research. At SAIT’s Centre for Innovation and Research in Unmanned Systems, for example, researchers are working with the Stoney Nakoda First Nations and Alberta Health Services to develop a scalable drone fleet that can support medical delivery and amplify drone signals in remote areas.

Indigenous-Focused Programs & Support

As the primary postsecondary education providers for Indigenous learners from across Canada, colleges and institutes continually strive to listen, learn, and collaborate with Indigenous Peoples to enhance the educational experiences of Indigenous learners. We offer flexible learning formats and support services such as childcare, counselling, and mentorship, along with nearly 300 Indigenous-focused programs and courses across Canada’s ten provinces and territories.

Through CICan’s national programs, such as Skills Compass, colleges and institutes are also making a significant impact by supporting Indigenous and newcomer youth not currently in education, employment, or training. The accessible initiative helps Indigenous youth develop essential skills and become career-ready and equips members with a Skills Compass Curriculum Framework—a lasting resource to help institutes tailor their programs to the unique needs of Indigenous youth.  

Colleges and institutes also foster connections for Indigenous learners globally through Global Skills Opportunity (GSO). This initiative enables Canadian post-secondary students to gain new global skills, enhancing their resilience, adaptability, and readiness for success. For instance, I’M SIENT (International Mobility Supporting Indigenous Entrepreneurs), funded under GSO at Sault College in Ontario, empowers Indigenous students by enhancing technical and analytical skills in collaboration with Indigenous entrepreneurs in Mexico’s Yucatan region.

Recognizing that Indigenous reconciliation is an ongoing journey, we remain committed to culturally responsive approaches. Through continued dedication, the potential for positive change and empowerment within Indigenous communities is immense.

Take Action:

Colleges and institutes can advance their commitment by joining the 72 institutions that have signed CICan’s Indigenous Education Protocol. This protocol – created in 2014 – highlights the need for tailored structures and approaches to meet the educational needs of Indigenous peoples, supporting their self-determination and the socio-economic development of their communities.

To mark its 10th year anniversary and reflect on progress and stubborn gaps, CICan will be initiating a refresh of the protocol – and how to mobilize greater take by our member institutions – at our upcoming Indigenous Education Symposium in Halifax from October 27-29 that we are hosting in partnership with the Indigenous Institutes Consortium (IIC).

Home / Archive by category "Advancing Sustainable Development Goals"
April 17, 2024

ImpAct-Climate Challenge: Inspiring Action, Sparking Change

The latest edition of the ImpAct-Climate Challenge has come to a close and students, staff, and faculty across 55 CICan member colleges and institutes now have a deeper understanding of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the actionable steps we can all take towards combating climate change.

Over six weeks, participants explored themes related to GHGs like energy, food, transportation, waste, and Indigenous stewardship and took on a new challenge—from increasing plant-based meals to eliminating single-use plastics—to lead transformative change. 

An overwhelming 82% of participants reported learning something new through the weekly educational content. More impressively, 90% felt inspired to incorporate these learnings into their daily routines, committing to sustainable practices that reduce their environmental footprint on campus in their personal lives. 

Recognizing Excellence in Sustainability 

Several institutions stood out for their exceptional engagement and efforts to mobilize their communities toward sustainability. To celebrate those with the highest levels of participation, we awarded bursaries to support their continued dedication to climate action. These bursaries are intended to honour students on their campuses who have shown outstanding leadership in sustainability initiatives, further empowering them to lead change. 

Gold Winners – Each receiving a $3,000 bursary

  • Large Institution: Bow Valley College 
  • Medium-Large Institution: Confederation College 
  • Medium-Small Institution: Cégep de Jonquiere 
  • Small Institution: Collège d’Alma 

Silver Winners – Each receiving a $1,500 bursary

  • Large Institution: Algonquin College 
  • Medium-Large Institution: Loyalist College 
  • Medium-Small Institution: Collège Lionel-Groulx 
  • Small Institution: Collège Mathieu 

In addition to the bursary, these institutions will each receive a trophy created out of 100% recycled plastics designed by talented students at Cégep de Vieux-Montréal’s Atelier Écodesign. 

Enhanced Learning and Participation 

This edition also introduced enhancements to integrate the challenge into coursework more efficiently. We provided instructors with resources to incorporate the challenge themes into their teaching and improved the way they could track student participation. These adjustments made it easier for the entire college and institute community to engage deeply with the challenge, amplifying our collective impact. 

The Path Forward 

The impact of this year’s challenge underscores the vital role knowledge and action play in creating a sustainable future. Let’s carry this momentum forward. Together, the college and institute network can make a lasting difference for our planet and future generations. 

Home / Archive by category "Advancing Sustainable Development Goals"
March 8, 2024

By the Numbers: Exploring Women’s Presence in Canadian Colleges and Institutes

Canada has undoubtedly made significant strides in advancing gender equality, yet the journey towards full parity remains ongoing. Access to and representation in post-secondary education is critical here. Alongside global efforts to empower girls and women, Canadian colleges and institutes are at the forefront of cultivating inclusive learning environments, encouraging women’s entrepreneurship and supporting women in Canada in non-traditional fields.

As we commemorate International Women’s Day, let’s explore some data to understand our progress and inspire the work yet to be done!

Celebrating a Decades-Long Trend in Female Enrolment and Graduation Rates

In the early 1990s, a significant shift occurred in Canada as women started earning more degrees than men. Since then, female graduation rates in Canadian colleges and institutes have consistently remained above or around half, marking a lasting and positive trend (Statistics Canada, 2022). The most recent data from 2021/22 reveals women represent 55% of college and institute enrolment and nearly 60% of graduates across various disciplines.

So, we achieved total equality? Not quite.

Despite this trend, men continue to dominate the high-paying, sought-after STEM fields, such as mathematics, computer and information sciences, engineering, and related technologies. And, while 34% of Canadians with a STEM degree are women, they only constitute 23% of Canadians working in science and technology roles (Statistics Canada, 2019). This persistent gender gap underscores the need for targeted interventions that bolster women’s participation and success in these critical areas of study and employment.

Empowering Women on Campus

Colleges and institutes have launched various initiatives to address current statistics and advance women’s empowerment on multiple fronts. For example:

  • Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, British Columbia Institute of Technology, Nova Scotia Community College, Mohawk College, George Brown College and many others, champion programs to enhance female representation in trades and technology vocations. These initiatives provide women with the requisite training and backing to thrive in traditionally male-dominated sectors. 
     
  • Seneca College, in partnership with College of the Rockies and NorQuest College, offers a Herizons program that breaks down gender barriers to empower women in their careers by providing women-focused support, mentorship, and networking opportunities to empower women in various aspects of their professional lives.
     
  • Sheridan College, St. Clair College, Fanshawe College and Durham College have come together to spearhead initiatives focused on elevating awareness and providing opportunities for women to explore career education, networking, and apprenticeships within the Red Seal skilled trades.   
     
  • Dawson College has several awards and scholarships to recognize its female students’ outstanding achievements and contributions.   
     
  • Collège Boréal has created a training program entitled Mining Potential to promote the presence of young people, women and newcomers to Canada in the mining sector.
     
  • Bow Valley College’s Centre for Entertainment Arts proudly displays a Wonder Woman statue, acknowledging that more women than men are enrolled in the college’s game development program, and that a statue representing female empowerment, fierceness and determination served as a fitting tribute.
     
  • Cambrian College’s Women’s Resource Centre offers its students various services, including seminars and workshops that examine women’s safety, health and wellness, financial and legal issues, substance abuse, and sexuality.

Initiating Change from the Top Down 

Beyond enrolment rates, women are increasingly assuming leadership roles within Canadian colleges and institutes, driving innovation, fostering inclusivity, and shaping the future of higher education. Approximately 40% of CICan’s member presidents are women. Yet, the question arises: how can we surpass the 50% mark?   

Initiatives like CICan’s 50 – 30 Challenge Project are making notable headway. Through our two Knowledge Mobilization and Dissemination Centres and five regional hubs, we provide comprehensive resources and tools to empower participants throughout their equity, diversity, and inclusion journeys. At CICan, initiatives like this have contributed to a management team of 68% women, and two consecutive female CEOs, underscoring our steadfast commitment to gender diversity and equitable representation across all decision-making levels.

Thinking Beyond Enrolment Rates

While we celebrate the progress achieved in post-secondary education, it’s imperative to recognize that our journey towards true gender equality is far from complete. Merely focusing on enrolment rates does not provide the full picture. We must also consider attainment rates and dive deeper into the nuanced challenges women face in fields where gender imbalances persist. By prioritizing empowerment, creating equal opportunities and challenging biases and stereotypes, we can shape a more inclusive future for everyone.

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March 7, 2024

Commuting is Community

Did you know that cars and trucks are responsible for approximately 17% of global CO2 emissions? Transportation is an important part of our lives, yet it contributes substantially to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Vehicles powered by fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, emit mostly carbon dioxide (98%) and small amounts of methane and nitrous oxide. Beyond GHGs, they release pollutants causing air, soil, and water contamination, leading to 7 million deaths a year from car-related air pollution.  

Changing the way we get around is an important part of embracing an eco-friendly future. 

Set your institution up for success!  

For colleges and institutes, transportation falls into the category of Scope 3 emissions. That means emissions that are not directly produced by an institution itself, but are instead emitted by activities it is indirectly responsible for – such as commuting to and from campus.  

Our new guide Commuting and Campuses: A Guide to Sustainable Transportation Solutions can help reduce Scope 3 emissions on your campus. The guide shares valuable lessons learned from across the sector, resources to start new initiatives, and ideas to inspire others to make a bigger impact. 

10 ways to use the guide: 

No matter where you are on your sustainable transportation journey, use this guide to encourage your staff and students to travel in more sustainable ways. 

  1. Organize a commuter survey. Commuter surveys are a method of gathering information about how students and staff are travelling to and from campus, their reasons for choosing certain modes of transportation, and typical travel times, and gauging levels of interest in shifting to more sustainable modes of transportation. 
  2. Optimize your transportation systems. Transportation Demand Management (TDM) is a strategic plan to make the most of your current set upsetupcouraging people to use more efficient modes of transportation. TDM plans can provide strategies for reducing the reliance on single-occupancy vehicles, and improve overall transportation efficiency. 
  3. Support bicycle purchasing. One way to encourage a shift in transportation on campuses is financial support for students and staff who would like to purchase a bicycle. This can be in the form of loans, grants, or subsidies. 
  4. Start a bike share program. Bike share programs are a great way to make bicycles available for shared use to students and staff on a short-term, as-needed basis. 
  5. Invest parking revenues in sustainable transportation incentives. Allocating revenue from things like parking fees can increase available funding for sustainable transportation initiatives. 
  6. Open end-of-trip facilities and protected bicycle parking. End-of-trip facilities are amenities provided at the destination point of a cycling trip. They make commuting by bicycle more attractive, convenient, and comfortable by addressing common challenges and concerns cyclists face.  
  7. Connect to active transportation infrastructure. Connecting or creating active transportation corridors that connect to your campus can help more students and staff use active modes of transportation. 
  8. Minimize trips to and from campus. Providing services on campus or situating the campus in a central location, providing student housing, and offering flexible work and study arrangements can help reduce motor vehicle congestion to and from campus. 
  9. Strengthen relations with government. Building a strong working relationship with decision-makers in your local government means having a government partner who knows your transportation needs and goals. They could also help you discover potential funding sources to support initiatives and help your ideas become reality. 
  10. Celebrate and create awareness. Creating a fun, supportive, and informed culture around sustainable transportation can encourage more students and staff to get out of their vehicles and try out other modes of transportation.  

The guide was developed as part of the ImpAct-Climate program, funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada. 

March 4-8 is SDG Week Canada. 

SDG Week Canada is a national collaboration to increase awareness and encourage progress towards to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on college, institute, and university campuses.  

  • In that context, use this guide to advance your institutions commitment to SDG 13 Climate Action!  

SDG Week Canada is organized by the Sustainability Hub at UBC, SDSN Canada hosted by the University of Waterloo, and Colleges and Institutes Canada. 

Your institution can take part by organizing a panel, workshop, or other events on campus. Each event helps create a supportive national environment in which post-secondary institutions work together and across disciplines to advance the SDGs, to better integrate the guiding values of the SDGs across programming, and to build long-term momentum for SDG action across the sector.