The Evolving Landscape of Scholarly Communication in Canada

Academic publishing in Canada stands at a pivotal moment, shaped by rapid shifts toward open access, technological advancements, and collaborative negotiations between libraries, presses, and major publishers. Researchers, librarians, and institutions across the country are actively working to make scholarly work more accessible while addressing longstanding issues of cost, equity, and sustainability. This dynamic environment offers both challenges and promising pathways for the higher education community.

Canada's higher education sector relies heavily on a network of university presses and research libraries that support the dissemination of knowledge in the humanities, social sciences, and beyond. With institutions like the University of Toronto Press leading the way in producing hundreds of new titles each year, the focus remains on high-quality, peer-reviewed content that reflects Canadian perspectives and global scholarship. Recent developments highlight a collective push to balance commercial interests with the public good of open research.

University Presses and Their Central Role

University presses form the backbone of academic publishing in Canada. Organizations such as the Association of Canadian University Presses represent members that collectively release more than 600 titles annually, with a strong emphasis on works by Canadian researchers and topics relevant to the nation. These presses prioritize rigorous editorial standards and often focus on areas like history, Indigenous studies, political science, and cultural analysis where commercial publishers may see less profit potential.

The University of Toronto Press, founded in 1901, exemplifies this tradition as one of North America's largest university presses. It publishes a wide array of scholarly books, course materials, and journals while maintaining a commitment to both print and digital formats. Partnerships with academic societies further extend its reach, including recent collaborations on engineering proceedings starting in 2026. Such efforts ensure that specialized Canadian scholarship finds a dedicated home and audience.

These presses play a vital educational role by mentoring emerging authors and supporting early-career researchers through the publication process. In an era of increasing pressure to publish, they provide essential guidance on manuscript preparation, peer review, and audience engagement, helping scholars navigate the complexities of the modern academic environment.

Open Access Initiatives Gaining Momentum

Open access publishing continues to transform how Canadian research reaches readers worldwide. Libraries and consortia are championing models that remove paywalls, allowing broader dissemination of findings funded by public resources. This shift aligns with global trends but carries unique considerations for a country with linguistic diversity and regional variations in institutional resources.

Diamond open access journals, which operate without article processing charges to authors or readers, represent a particularly Canadian strength. Many such journals in the social sciences and humanities thrive thanks to support from federal funding programs and platforms hosted domestically. These models promote equity by ensuring that publication decisions rest on scholarly merit rather than financial capacity.

Workshops and information sessions hosted at universities across the country, including sessions at Western University and the University of Toronto, are helping researchers understand best practices for open access. Topics often include navigating peer review, ethical considerations, and the responsible integration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence into the writing and review processes.

CRKN License Negotiations and Community Priorities

The Canadian Research Knowledge Network plays a central coordinating role in securing access to scholarly content for dozens of institutions. In 2026, it is conducting simultaneous negotiations with major commercial publishers to secure agreements that emphasize sustainable pricing, expanded open access options, and value for Canadian taxpayers.

These read-and-publish arrangements allow researchers at participating institutions to publish open access in hybrid journals without incurring individual fees, while libraries maintain subscription access. Feedback from the research community has shaped clear principles guiding these talks, including the need for cost neutrality, unlimited article eligibility where possible, and transparency in contract terms.

Alignment across university leaders, research organizations, and library associations underscores the shared commitment to these goals. By leveraging collective bargaining power, Canada aims to influence the global publishing market toward more equitable terms that support rather than constrain scholarly output.

Photo by Andy Holmes on Unsplash

CARL's Support for Open Access Books

The Canadian Association of Research Libraries has introduced a targeted pilot program to accelerate open access book publishing. Through contributions from member libraries, the initiative provides grants to university presses to offset production costs for eligible scholarly monographs.

The two-year program prioritizes diversity in funding distribution across press sizes, geographic regions, and language communities, with a specific goal of supporting French-language works. Initial awards have supported a range of titles, demonstrating the potential for scaled impact over the pilot period.

This approach complements existing federal programs from agencies like the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, which offer publication grants and support for journals. Together, these efforts strengthen the infrastructure for high-quality, openly available Canadian scholarship in book form, an area that has historically faced greater financial hurdles than journal publishing.

Challenges Facing Researchers and Institutions

Despite progress, significant hurdles remain. The costs associated with accessing and publishing research continue to strain library budgets, even as consortia work to contain increases. Read-and-publish deals, while helpful, can sometimes lock institutions into long-term commitments that limit flexibility for supporting alternative publishing models.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping workflows in both positive and cautionary ways. Tools can assist with literature reviews, language polishing, and data analysis, yet concerns about research integrity, authorship attribution, and potential biases require careful institutional policies and training.

Early-career researchers often feel the pressure most acutely, balancing the demand to publish with limited funding for open access fees and the need to build diverse portfolios beyond traditional journal articles. Regional disparities in resources between larger research universities and smaller institutions add another layer of complexity.

Perspectives from Key Stakeholders

Librarians emphasize the importance of sustainable models that preserve collection budgets for a broad range of content while advancing open scholarship. University administrators highlight how improved access accelerates collaboration and innovation across disciplines.

Researchers appreciate the growing availability of open options but call for streamlined processes and clearer guidance on rights retention strategies. Presses and societies stress the value of editorial independence and the need for funding mechanisms that do not compromise quality or independence.

These varied viewpoints converge on the need for continued dialogue and experimentation with new publishing formats, including enhanced digital editions, multimedia supplements, and preprint servers tailored to Canadian needs.

Impacts on Higher Education Careers and Research

Changes in academic publishing directly influence career trajectories in Canadian higher education. Successful publication records remain central to tenure and promotion decisions, making access to supportive publishing venues essential for faculty advancement.

Open access increases the visibility and potential citation impact of work, benefiting researchers seeking international recognition or grant funding. It also supports knowledge mobilization, allowing findings to inform policy, industry, and public discourse more effectively.

For graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, understanding publishing options early can shape research design and collaboration strategies. Institutions are responding with expanded workshops, mentoring programs, and resources on scholarly communication to prepare the next generation.

Photo by Chelsey Faucher on Unsplash

Future Outlook and Emerging Opportunities

Looking ahead, Canada is well-positioned to lead in equitable and innovative scholarly publishing. Continued investment in national infrastructure, such as shared repositories and preservation services, will enhance long-term access to the research record.

Greater integration of open science practices, including data sharing and preregistration, promises to improve reproducibility and trust in published findings. Collaborative models between presses, libraries, and funders can further diversify the publishing ecosystem beyond dominant commercial players.

Technological advancements will likely accelerate, offering new tools for discovery, accessibility, and engagement. Canadian institutions that invest in training and policy development around these tools stand to gain competitive advantages in attracting and retaining top talent.

Practical Steps for Researchers and Institutions

Individuals can start by exploring institutional open access policies and rights retention addenda to maintain control over their work. Depositing preprints or accepted manuscripts in repositories maximizes reach even before formal publication.

Institutions benefit from participating in consortia negotiations and supporting local presses through subscriptions or direct funding. Encouraging diamond open access venues and providing education on ethical AI use in research further strengthens the ecosystem.

Cross-sector partnerships, including with government and international bodies, can amplify impact. Monitoring developments through professional associations keeps stakeholders informed and ready to adapt strategies as the landscape evolves.