Our Story

At the end of August 2005, thirty participants from across the country, as part of the first founding meeting of the New University Project, gathered near Montreal, Quebec to discuss the creation of a New University in Canada, based on principles of sustainability, social justice and accessibility. This diverse group included professors, academics, students, and activists from across the country.

Our purpose still remains simple – to create a new affordable university devoted to protecting and sustaining our earth. We have held several national meetings, organized lectures and presentations, coordinated weekly conference calls and shared hundreds of e-mails. The New University Cooperative was incorporated as a solidarity cooperative in 2007, and our first annual general meeting as was held in St. Clements Ontario in March 2008.

Here is what we are working toward:

• To join hands and minds with other like-minded students, educators, active citizens and supportive organizations
• To establish the best on-line library and resource centre for studies in ecology, sustainability and social justice
• To coordinate meaningful skills-sharing, lectures, symposiums, and short-courses throughout Canada
• To develop graduate and post-graduate degree programs
• To build a “green” university that will provide holistic education and employment opportunities for all of our members.