In a year marked by disruption and uncertainty, CICan set ambitious yet focused goals anchored by our new Roadmap to 2026 (more on the Roadmap later in this report). We consistently engaged members to harness insights, amplify expertise, and unite the sector’s voice around shared priorities.
By forging and strengthening relationships with federal decision-makers, we positioned Canada’s public colleges, institutes, CEGEPs and polytechnics as essential partners addressing Canada’s most pressing challenges. Through dynamic policy dialogue, innovative program development, and strategic partnerships, we made the case for a stronger, more resilient Canada – one with colleges and institutes at its core.
We developed a challenge-based narrative supported by actionable policy proposals, sustained outreach to federal decision-makers, and strategic communications to shape public discourse and policy outcomes.
To amplify these efforts, building from our new corporate communications plan, we delivered 21 newsletters to the public, and brought in new, relevant and just in time communications tools for sector leaders, including actionable insight reports, monthly CEO updates and engagement toolkits. We also published four op-eds and two open letters, and secured prominent national media coverage in CBC News, The Toronto Star, and The Globe and Mail. Our social media audience grew by over 4,500 new users, with more than 1 million impressions across platforms, deepening public engagement and reinforcing sector priorities.
We brought together our Canadian and global programs to enhance alignment and improve member impact across our diverse program portfolio, streamline delivery, and strengthen outcomes and sustainability. This included fostering coordinated partnerships, developing more pro-active member communications and clearer project guidelines, and implementing more responsive delivery models.
Two revenue generation workshops were conducted to explore innovative strategies and practical approaches for diversifying our revenue streams. From these discussions, three key ideas emerged for further development:
A new CICan College Leadership Academy, building on the success of our Leadership Development Institutes.
A College Navigator – a strategic platform to enhance visibility and engagement in college and institute education.
A Service Export Hub to support members in diversifying revenues through education service exports.
To enhance organizational effectiveness and excellence, we introduced a new fit-for-purpose structure and streamlined leadership team; modernized our hybrid work policy and risk framework; negotiated a new 4-year collective agreement with our unionized staff; laid the groundwork for a downtown office move in early 2026; and significantly improved financial, HR, and knowledge-sharing policies, practices and systems, across our pan-Canadian and global teams. CICan’s approach to Board governance was also strengthened to put a premium on oversight, insight and foresight with the introduction of semi-annual strategic retreats, expert speakers and revitalized Committee work.
In 2024–25, this work was carried out by a dedicated team of 127 staff led by a new executive team of three Vice Presidents focused on shared leadership and results: Operations and Culture, Programs and Partnerships, and External and Member Relations.
In 2024–25, CICan began modernizing its member services to better align with evolving and future member challenges, priorities, and needs, while building on the long-standing success of our flagship Leadership Institutes. In a complex and changing post-secondary education environment, members told us they wanted more frequent, innovative and focused leadership touchpoints and insights. supported by streamlined and strategic communications and news they can use from Ottawa. Their call to action: that CICan – through an enhanced suite of integrated leadership offerings – can support system-wide succession planning and growth to help current and future college leadership navigate headwinds and ride tailwinds.
participants, 25 faculty and staff leaders
participants, 3 sessions in 2025
Identifying System-Level Priorities
Building a Thriving College and Institute Sector
Rebuilding the Narrative on Immigration
Transnational Education
Launched in late 2024, CICan’s Futures Forum is a dynamic new thought leadership concept, designed to empower leaders of publicly supported colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, and polytechnics. Through focused discussions, expert insights, and signature events, the Forum ignites national conversations on system-wide challenges and emerging trends and inspires bold action to keep the sector agile, impactful, and future-ready.
To help ground Summit conversations in evidence, CICan partnered with Abacus Data to conduct a national survey on Canadians’ perceptions of colleges and institutes. The findings equipped members with timely, credible insights to strengthen their advocacy and storytelling.
Notably, 70% of Canadians believe that investing in colleges is essential to economic growth – reinforcing the sector’s role as a key driver of innovation and resilience.
These results have already informed Future Forum discussions and member strategies, helping challenge outdated perceptions and engage stakeholders more effectively. They will underpin a national brand campaign in 2026.
CICan’s 2024 Connections Conference brought together 1,070 participants in Calgary in May 2024 to explore how we can grow talent for a resilient future. Hosted by Bow Valley College and SAIT, the event focused on adapting to industry disruption, with engaging keynotes from Pari Johnston, David Coletto, and Linda Nazareth. Member-led panels and workshops highlighted the dynamic skills needed to help learners thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Read: The Time is Now for Colleges and Institutes - Pari Johnston’s Keynote at CICan’s 2024 Connection Conference
Complementing this national community forum, our renowned Leadership Institutes created a trusted space for 155 participants and 25 faculty and staff leads to connect, reflect, and grow in June 2024 in various locations across Canada. In a time of complexity and constant change, these Institutes offered mid- to senior-level leaders from member institutions a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, and navigate leadership challenges alongside peers from across the country -all guided by experienced faculty and guest speakers.
Alternating with the Leaders Summit, the Connection Conference will now be held every other year. The next one will be held in Ottawa from April 21 to 23, 2026.
