COLLEGES AND INSTITUTES CANADA
Colleges and Institutes Welcome Investments to Help Canada Deliver on National Missions

At a pivotal moment for Canada's future, Canada's public colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, polytechnics, and Indigenous Institutes of Education are trusted place-based institutions that will help shape the path forward for the country and for communities.

Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) warmly welcomes the investments made and the initiatives outlined in the federal government's Spring Economic Update that will position the country to leverage the best of its public postsecondary institutions as a strategic national asset to deliver on national missions. 

In particular, CICan is thrilled to see $165 million investment in the College and Community Innovation (CCI) program over five years, supporting partner-driven applied research through Canada's colleges and institutes. Our sector leads over 8,500 applied research projects each year, delivering the economic and social solutions Canada needs most - like building homes better and faster, strengthening our military and defence capacities, boosting energy production and transition, improving healthcare outcomes and getting major projects done. This renewed investment will further empower colleges and institutes to drive innovation and economic resilience and deliver practical, Canadian-made solutions at scale.

CICan also applauds the creation of Team Canada Strong to build and train the people and workforce needed to advance Canada's nation-building ambitions and investments in new pathways and programs to support skilled trades training - initiatives in which Canada's pan-Canadian network of colleges and institutes will be absolutely core partners. We are delighted to see the government's focus on the urgently needed next generation of skilled tradespeople - a critical element for delivering prosperity across the country. 

Colleges and institutes are not only providers of high-quality, accessible, and responsive education and training, but serve as regional hubs for workforce coordination, support apprenticeship success and completion, and actively engage employers in industry-aligned training pathways. Our members look forward to leveraging these strengths as the initiatives announced today take shape. 

While today's investments recognize the importance of our sector in shaping Canada's future, delivering will require future capital investments in college infrastructure, equipment, and training spaces. CICan will continue to advocate for the needs of our members to ensure Canada's public training system has the capacity needed to meet the speed and scale of Canada's national missions. 

Our sector also looks forward to supporting Canada's highly anticipated AI Strategy. From training skilled workers to use new technologies, to helping businesses through adoption and commercialization, and mitigating potential risks, Canada's colleges and institutes are essential and ready-to-act partners to help deliver an AI-ready, competitive, and productive Canada.

As Canada redefines its place in the world, the country will need strong public postsecondary institutions to do what they do best. CICan's new Roadmap to 2030 is a guiding light to empower the sector to deliver transformative results for a prosperous Canada, driven by strong communities, and empowered by strong colleges. 

Quotes

"The investment of $165 million over five years in the College and Community Innovation (CCI) program is a win, not only for our sector, but for Canadians, their communities, and our country. Canada's applied research ecosystem is a unique, place-based, partner-focused, mission-driven, and globally envied national asset. 
 
With more than 8,500 projects each year, our network delivers the economic and social solutions Canada needs most - like building homes better and faster, strengthening our military and defence capacities, boosting energy production and transition, improving healthcare outcomes and getting major projects done.  
 
Renewed investment ultimately positions Canada to deliver on national missions. It means that more Canadian students graduate with hands-on, cutting-edge skills and more small and medium-size Canadian businesses can adapt to and commercialize new technologies, transform their operations to be more productive and competitive, and deliver downstream impact that benefits the economy and builds strong and prosperous communities."

Pari Johnston, President and CEO, Colleges and Institutes Canada