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{{Short description|Organization of universities}}
{{Infobox organization
| name                = Universities Canada
| native_name         = Universités Canada
| native_name_lang    = fr
| logo                = Universities Canada Logo.svg
| image               = Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada Arms.svg
| image_border        = 
| size                = 150px
| caption             = Arms of Universities Canada
| map                 = 
| msize               = 
| mcaption            = 
| abbreviation        = 
| formation           = June 6, 1911 (first meeting)
| extinction          = 
| type                = Non-profit educational organization
| status              = 
| purpose             = Advocate and public voice, educator and network
| headquarters        = [[Ottawa]], Ontario, Canada
| location            = 
| region_served       = Canada
| membership          = 
| language            = {{hlist | English | French}}
| leader_title        = 
| leader_name         = 
| main_organ          = 
| parent_organization = 
| affiliations        = 
| num_staff           = 
| num_volunteers      = 
| budget              = 
| website             = {{official URL}}
}}

'''Universities Canada''' ({{langx|fr|Universités Canada}}) is an organization that represents [[Canada]]'s universities. It is a non-profit national organization that coordinates university policies, guidance and direction.

Formed in 1911, as the '''Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada''' ('''AUCC'''), it represents 97 public and private not-for-profit [[List of universities in Canada|Canadian universities]] and university colleges in [[Canada]]. It provides member services in public policy and advocacy, communications, research and information-sharing, and scholarships and international programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.univcan.ca/about-us/|title=About us - Universities Canada|work=univcan.ca|access-date=13 October 2016}}</ref>  In April 2015, the organization renamed itself "Universities Canada."<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.univcan.ca/about-us/our-history/| title=Our history| publisher=Universities Canada| access-date=2015-05-17| archive-date=2015-09-10| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910162042/http://www.univcan.ca/about-us/our-history/| url-status=dead}}</ref>

Universities Canada is not a [[higher education accreditation]] body. Membership in the association requires universities to meet strict criteria and adhere to set principles of institutional quality assurance that must be reaffirmed every five years. This reinforces the recognition of a Canadian university degree around the world as a high-quality academic achievement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.univcan.ca/about-us/membership-and-governance/|title=Membership and governance}}</ref>

The association produces a number of publications, such as ''University Affairs'' magazine and the ''Directory of Canadian Universities''.

Universities Canada's arms, supporters, and badge were registered with the [[Canadian Heraldic Authority]] on May 10, 2004.<ref>http://archive.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/project.asp?lang=e&ProjectID=382 Arms and Badge</ref>

==Academic freedom==
{{unreferenced section|date=July 2016}}
On 25 October 2011, Universities Canada, known then by its former name, announced a new "Statement on Academic Freedom" which was adopted unanimously by the membership at its centennial meeting.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.univcan.ca/media-room/media-releases/statement-on-academic-freedom/|title=Statement on Academic Freedom}}</ref> However, at least one critic has expressed the opinion that the Statement, drafted by academic administrators, essentially gives academic administrators the right to determine the limits of such freedom.

==Advocacy==
Universities Canada works in an advocacy role with governments to promote [[higher education]] and awareness of the contributions Canada's universities make to the country.<ref>AUCC. [http://www.aucc.ca/_pdf/english/publications/corp_brochure_e.pdf Corporate brochure] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930161254/http://www.aucc.ca/_pdf/english/publications/corp_brochure_e.pdf |date=2007-09-30 }}</ref>

Its priorities are increasing funding for universities' operating and capital costs, research, and international programs, along with improved student assistance.

It is also involved in the government's copyright reform process.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/crp-prda.nsf/en/rp00246e.html |title=Copyright Reform Process – Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-08-21 |archive-date=2007-09-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910091346/http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/crp-prda.nsf/en/rp00246e.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Equity, diversity, and inclusion ==
Universities Canada follows the Canadian government's Federal Employment Equity Act in developing their equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) policies for the four pillars of marginalized students, professors, and other university members.
"Under-represented groups include those identified in the federal Employment Equity Act – women, visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities – as well as, but not limited to, LGBTQ2+ people and men in female-dominated disciplines."<ref>{{cite web |title=Universities Canada principles on equity, diversity and inclusion |url=https://www.univcan.ca/media-room/media-releases/universities-canada-principles-equity-diversity-inclusion/ |website=Universities Canada |publisher=Universities Canada |access-date=18 July 2019}}</ref>

Universities Canada (and similarly the Canadian government) exclude social class from their EDI statement and initiatives. That is, the invisible minority who come from and/or live in poverty, those from working-class backgrounds, and those who are generally known as first-generation and/or low socioeconomic status. In Canada, poverty is termed as "social condition" and is not grounds for discrimination.<ref>{{cite web |last1=MacKay |first1=Wayne |last2=Kim |first2=Natasha |title=Adding Social Condition to the Canadian Human Rights Act |url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/ccdp-chrc/HR4-14-2009-eng.pdf |website=Canadian Human Rights Commission |access-date=18 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Davies |first1=Libby |title=C-263 An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act (social condition) |url=https://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?billId=6253518&Language=E |website=LEGISinfo |publisher=Parliament of Canada |access-date=18 July 2019}}</ref>

==Scholarship programs==
The association is also active in managing government-funded international partnership programs and more than 130 scholarship programs on behalf of private sector companies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.univcan.ca/programs-and-scholarships/scholarship-partners-canada/|title=Scholarship Partners Canada}}</ref>

In partnership with Community Foundations of Canada and Rideau Hall Foundation, the association manages the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships Program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.queenelizabethscholars.ca/|title=Queen Elizabeth Scholars}}</ref>

==Arms==
{{Infobox COA wide
|image = Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada Arms.svg
|bannerimage =
|badgeimage =
|notes = The arms of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada consist of:<ref>{{citation|title=Canadian Heraldic Authority (Volume IV)
|year=2004 |publisher=Ottawa|pages=376}}</ref>
|adopted =
|crest = On two closed books Vert, an open book proper bound and charged on the dexter page with a maple leaf Vert.
|torse =
|helm =
|escutcheon = Argent four pairs of maple seeds in saltire Vert.
|supporters = Two polar bears each holding a feather Argent penned Vert and resting a hind paw on an Ionic capital Argent, all set on a quadrangle Vert.
|compartment =
|motto = Vox Eruditionis
|orders =
|other_elements = 
|banner =
|badge =
|symbolism =
|previous_versions =
}}

== See also ==
{{Canada provinces map|align=right|prefix=Higher education in |the=the|width=230px|caption=[[Higher education in Canada]] by province or territory}}
* [[Association of Commonwealth Universities]]
* [[U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Universities in Canada}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:College and university associations and consortia in Canada]]
[[Category:1911 establishments in Canada]]
[[Category:Organizations based in Ottawa]]