Sources for additional information

The provincial and territorial ministries/departments responsible for education in Canada publish comprehensive up-to-date public information, and remain the primary source of authoritative information on their respective education systems, including quality assurance. This pan-Canadian approach of information provision is consistent with the exclusive jurisdiction of provinces and territories over education, and their role as competent authorities in Canada.

Pan-Canadian organizations

Some pan-Canadian organizations promote quality and the use of high academic standards in postsecondary programs, such as:

• Universities Canada (formerly the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada [AUCC]) is a pan-Canadian membership-based organization that does not have an accreditation role. However, membership in Universities Canada, held in conjunction with a provincial charter, may be perceived as an indication that a university offers quality education. A university or degree-granting college is admitted to Universities Canada if it meets several requirements related to governance, mission statements, programs, policies, and other factors. External peer review is used to determine an institution's eligibility for membership in Universities Canada. In addition, Universities Canada member institutions have endorsed a statement of principles on institutional quality assurance in Canadian higher education. These principles include having policies and processes in place that apply to the full range of current and planned programs. The quality-assessment process must involve internal and external disciplinary experts, as well as students, faculty, and administrative personnel. Alumni and community representatives may also be involved. The process guidelines and results are to be made available to the public.


• Colleges and Institutes Canada is a pan-Canadian membership-based organization that supports the maintenance of high-quality programming in colleges. Colleges and Institutes Canada requires member institutions to deliver postsecondary programs of the academic standard for diploma and certificate qualifications, as set out by the appropriate provincial or territorial authorities, to operate as an integral part of a provincial or territorial government's educational activities, and to be funded primarily through that government.


• The Association of Accrediting Agencies of Canada (AAAC) is a pan-Canadian membership-based organization that is composed of professional associations or alliances of professional regulatory authorities which are involved in promoting good practices, by its members, in the accreditation of professional educational programs. Most members are organizations either from, or in support of, professional regulatory authorities in the provinces and territories. In turn, these organizations work in close collaboration with postsecondary institutions in Canada to set standards and quality-assurance criteria for academic programs that lead to professional registration and/or licensing.

Further information

Comprehensive review of this information: March 2022