AAU Attends CAUT Council: What We Learned

April 30-May 2, 2026

AAU was represented in Ottawa this week by Director C. Culberson at the 100th CAUT Council Meeting. We were invited to participate as part of our ongoing work to better understand CAUT and the services it provides.

Over the three days of this conference, the focus was on listening, asking questions, and gathering information that will help us report back to members and support informed decision-making about potential membership.

Regional Collaboration – Atlantic Council

Day 1 began with a meeting of the newly proposed Atlantic Council. The purpose of this group is to bring associations together to discuss shared goals, align bargaining approaches, and strengthen coordination across the region.

There was discussion about working more closely on communications, campaigns, and research. One example is developing shared surveys that reflect a larger sample size, helping build credibility and strengthen advocacy efforts.

This regional approach connects closely to broader conversations happening at CAUT about coordinated bargaining and collective strategy.

Council Sessions and Key Issues

Council sessions covered a range of topics, including governance, funding, academic freedom, and member priorities.

Several themes came up consistently:

  • Ongoing concerns about underfunding and its impact on post-secondary education

  • Increasing pressure on collegial governance structures

  • The need to respond to political challenges affecting equity, diversity, and inclusion

These discussions reinforced that many of the challenges facing institutions are shared across the country.

There was also a presentation on public perceptions of post-secondary education, which highlighted how external views and political narratives continue to shape the environment in which institutions and staff operate.

What We Heard from Other Associations

As part of this process, we spoke with a number of member associations about their experience with CAUT. One question we asked consistently was: beyond the defence fund, what has been most valuable?

Two themes came up repeatedly:

  • Access to CAUT’s legal expertise

  • Support and guidance during collective bargaining

These supports were described as practical, responsive, and important during challenging periods.

Representation for Colleges and Institutes

A notable outcome of the Council was the election of Shauna MacDonald (ACIFA) as the first ever Representative-at-Large for Colleges & Institutes on the CAUT Executive Committee.

This gives colleges and institutes a dedicated voice at the national executive table and creates a clearer path for sector-specific issues to be raised.

In addition, the Executive Committee appoints the College and Institute Academic Staff Committee, which provides advice on issues affecting academic staff in colleges and institutes. Together, these structures help ensure that perspectives from our sector are represented and considered in CAUT’s work.

Shift Toward Coordinated Bargaining

There was ongoing discussion about the need for more coordinated and collaborative bargaining across regions and sectors.

The message was fairly direct. Strong proposals still matter, but they are not enough on their own. There is increasing emphasis on alignment, shared strategy, and collective pressure.

This connects directly to both the Atlantic Council discussions and broader national conversations.

Contract Academic Staff (CAS)

CAUT continues to focus on issues affecting Contract Academic Staff (CAS), a term most often used in universities to describe those in non-permanent roles.

While AAU members at NSCC are not part of a tenure-based system, many of the same issues come up, including precarity, workload, fair compensation, and equitable treatment.

Even though the language is different, the concerns are familiar. CAUT’s work in this area may help inform broader discussions that are relevant to our members.

Governance and Council Business

The final day included elections, committee reports, and approval of the 2026–2027 budget. These decisions help set CAUT’s priorities for the coming year.

75th Anniversary – Reflections

At the closing event marking CAUT’s 75th anniversary, Christy had the opportunity to speak with several past CAUT Presidents.

She asked a simple question: why should our members join CAUT?

The answers were straightforward:

  • “Because when you need us, CAUT will be there for you.”

  • “Solidarity.”

There are clear, measurable benefits to membership. At the same time, it is often the less tangible elements, including support, collective strength, and shared purpose, that seem to matter most over time.

What This Means for AAU

This visit provided a clearer understanding of how CAUT supports its member organizations in practice.

What we heard and observed suggests that CAUT’s value extends beyond the defence fund. Access to legal expertise, support during collective bargaining, and the ability to draw on national coordination all appear to strengthen member associations in meaningful ways.

While AAU’s structure is different in some respects, many of the challenges and priorities discussed are familiar. There is a clear opportunity to consider how these supports could benefit our members.

This information will help guide ongoing discussions about CAUT membership and what it could mean for AAU going forward.