A critical analysis is provided of the history and future of Canada's community colleges. After an introduction which traces the movement and development of Canada's community colleges and presents their societal context, a review of the origins and history of the Canadian system is presented. Chapter 1 examines the social influences on community colleges' development, while chapter 2 traces the birth of new colleges across the nation. Chapter 3 studies the characteristics of the colleges, and chapter 4 follows their transition into the existing community college system. The second part of the book looks at issues for the future of Canada's community colleges. After chapter 5 identifies social and international trends likely to affect the colleges' future, chapter 6 considers issues related to institutional identity, accessibility, and organization. Chapter 7 focuses on political questions related to governance and governments, management and leadership, and labor relations. In chapter 8, issues related to educational excellence are analyzed, with respect to the improvement of instruction, general education, institutional evaluation, and research. Finally, chapter 9 offers a vision of a national role for Canada's community colleges. Appendices provide a roster of non-university postsecondary institutions in Canada; current statistical information on Canadian colleges; a national research agenda questionnaire, and a brief essay on Canada's first community college. An extensive bibliography is included. (EJV)