U15 Canada

The core of U15 Canada began when executive heads of five universities in Ontario—McMaster University, Queen's University, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo and the University of Western Ontario—began to meet informally to consider mutual interests. This group of five Ontario-based universities formed an association in the mid-1980s to advance the interests of their research-intensive institutions.^[2] By 1989, vice-presidents from other Canadian universities had joined the initial group. After a meeting at the University of British Columbia, they agreed to meet twice annually to share common concerns. In 1991, the universities formed a Group of Ten, made up of the original five Ontario universities, along with McGill University, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, Université de Montréal, and Université Laval.^[2]

The group has since expanded twice, once in 2006, and again in 2011. In 2006, the group expanded to include Dalhousie University, University of Calgary, and the University of Ottawa, becoming the Group of Thirteen.^[2] In 2011, the group grew to its current size and membership with the addition of the University of Manitoba and the University of Saskatchewan. The group was reorganized and renamed as the U15.^[2] In 2012, the executive heads created a U15 Canada Directorate and appointed the organization's first executive director.^[3]

The executive heads of the member universities govern U15 Canada, supported by their respective chief academic officers and vice-presidents of research.^[4] The executive organ of the group is the executive committee, made up of the Chair and two Vice-Chairs. Through a process of peer nomination, U15 Canada members appoint a Chair to lead the governing body. The committee is charged with acting on behalf of U15 Canada members concerning operational matters related to the Secretariat.^[4] The current Chair is Daniel Jutras, who is the rector of the Université de Montréal.

In addition, U15 Canada's executive committee operates a number of sub-committees that assist the administration in its operations. The Academic Affairs Committee advances collaborative initiatives and attempts to maximize cooperation among the member institutions.^[4] The Research Committee attempts to advance the research agenda of its member institutions.^[4] The Data Exchange Steering Committee is charged with setting the priorities and recommending annual work plans for research data specialists at member universities.^[4]

U15 Canada currently has 15 members, of which six are from Ontario, three from Quebec, two from Alberta, and one each from British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan. Seven of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada are represented in the group. Three of the six Ontario-based U15 universities are located within the Greater Golden Horseshoe, and two of them are in Eastern Ontario. Meanwhile, two of the three Quebec-based universities are located in the City of Montreal.

Collectively, the members of U15 Canada represent 47 per cent of all university students in Canada, 71 per cent of all full-time doctoral students in the country,^[5] 87 per cent of all contracted private-sector research in Canada, and 80 per cent of all patents and start-ups in Canada.^[5] As a group, U15 Canada universities attract C$5.3 billion in annual research income, notably holding 80 per cent of all competitively allocated research funding in Canada.^[5]

• 
  Alberta
• 
  UBC
• 
  Calgary
• 
  Dalhousie
• 
  Laval
• 
  Manitoba
• 
  McGill
• 
  McMaster
• 
  Montréal
• 
  Ottawa
• 
  Queen's
• 
  Saskatchewan
• 
  Toronto
• 
  Waterloo
• 
  Western

Locations

Alberta

British Columbia

Calgary

Dalhousie

Laval

Manitoba

McGill

McMaster

Montréal

Ottawa

Saskatchewan

Queen's

Toronto

Waterloo

Western

Locations of U15 Group universities

• Canadian university scientific research organizations
• Maple League of Universities
• Higher education in Canada
• List of universities in Canada
• List of higher education associations and alliances
• List of higher education associations and organizations in Canada
• ORION (research and education network)
• Rankings of universities in Canada