Who we are
Get to know Boréal in all its forms!






Boréal
Enrich communities through the quality of its training and personalized services.
Collège Boréal
Collège Boréal is a public college of applied arts and technology established in Sudbury in 1995.
The Collège has a dual mandate: to be both a post-secondary college institution and a vital community development organization. Boréal operates 37 sites including 8 campuses in 27 Ontario communities. As an innovative educational, cultural and community hub that serves Ontario’s francophone population, Collège Boréal’s goal is to produce a highly skilled bilingual workforce that is engaged in French-speaking communities and contributes to the economic, social and cultural vitality of the province and the country. To this end, it offers more than 70 post-secondary education and apprenticeship programs, including over 30 unique French-language programs in Ontario, as well as a range of other services, including continuing education, corporate training, employment services, academic upgrading, literacy and basic skills training, language training services and settlement services for newcomers.

Boréal in brief
Nurture knowledge and make culture vibrate
Mission
Boréal is a Francophone leader that offers high-quality training and services to a diverse clientele. It catalyzes the sustainable development of communities, from the local to the international.
Vision
Boréal is known for its enduring impact on communities through its educational programs and support services centred on the socioeconomic integration of its clientele.
Values - What drives us every day
1
Collaboration is the foundation of our success. We actively prioritize both internal and external partnerships, acknowledging the key role they play in the success of our projects and activities. We believe that teamwork drives mutual aid and efficiency, making it possible to leverage Boréal’s unique strengths while promoting mutual learning. Our commitment to collaboration drives us to forge close and inclusive ties with a wide range of community partners to create a dynamic network that enriches our ecosystem. By encouraging a fair division of resources and knowledge, we cultivate an environment where each person and their unique perspectives can thrive and contribute fully to our shared mission.
2
Our commitment and our passion drive our collective success. We foster an environment conducive to professional growth, where flexibility and enthusiasm fuel our determination to excel in all of our projects. United by a shared vision, we constantly strive to surpass expectations by putting our best into everything we do and always acting in the best interest of our communities. Our commitment is reflected in a strong attachment to our mission, unwavering loyalty to our values, and active efforts to continuously improve our skills and offerings. This passionate commitment drives us to prioritize our efforts and stay true to our objectives while ensuring that we deliver exceptional outcomes that reflect our dedication to excellence.
3
Our commitment to accountability forms the basis of our operational excellence. Dedicated to continuous improvement, we adopt effective and efficient practices guided by unwavering integrity and the relentless pursuit of quality. We value conscientious and thoughtful decision-making that is evidencebased and transparent. Our culture of accountability is based on mutual trust and honesty. We encourage autonomy and recognize the importance of taking full responsibility for our actions and their impact. We constantly strive to make a positive and measurable impact, and this approach enables us to act in the best interests of our clients, staff and partners.
4
Respect is at the heart of our identity and guides everything we do. We cultivate an environment characterized by humanism, empathy and respect for Indigenous knowledge. Our commitment to mutual respect is reflected in a profound recognition of the rights, traditions and uniqueness of each individual, which creates a space where diversity is celebrated and where a sense of belonging and reconciliation is nurtured.
Our resolutely positive attitude is characterized by attentiveness and a welcoming and caring approach, fostering harmony and equity within our communities while encouraging adaptability and flexibility toward differences. Our dedication to reconciliation and inclusivity strengthens our social fabric and guides our efforts to achieve deep mutual understanding.
By putting people first, we promote behaviours that reflect our deep respect for the communities we serve.
5
Openness shapes the way we learn, interact and innovate and is the basis of our approach. We cultivate an accessible and receptive environment where creativity and imagination are free to thrive. Our commitment to openness is reflected in our constant availability and our attentive listening, both within our institution and with our external partners.
We see change as an opportunity for growth, adopting a courageous and proactive stance to new ideas and new ways of doing things. Our curiosity drives us to explore a variety of innovative solutions, stimulating our adaptability and our institutional vitality. We value interactions that are honest and transparent, creating a space where sharing new ideas is encouraged and celebrated.
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Outstanding results
Ranked first among the 24 colleges in Ontario in several categories, Collège Boréal has distinguished itself for many years in the performance indicators published by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. Asserting itself as an institutional model, Boréal is an ambassador for the province of Ontario and a key player on the Franco-Ontarian scene.

Historique Boréal
1993
July
Announcement of the creation of a French-language college in Northern Ontario.
1993
November
Appointment of the members of the first Board of Governors of the Collège du Nord.
1994
June
Official unveiling of the name Collège Boréal and the visual identity elements.
1994
August
- Announcement of the location of the main campus.
- The six locations for the regional campuses are selected.
- Appointment of Jean Watters as the first president of Collège Boréal.
1995
September
- Official opening of Collège Boréal.
- Creation of the first college student cooperative in Ontario.
- Each learner is given a laptop computer.
1997
October
- Inauguration of the main campus.
- First wireless communication network on campus.
1998
The American Quality and Productivity Center awards Collège Boréal the prize for the most innovative college in North America — a first for a Canadian institution.
1998
December
Appointment of Gisèle Chrétien as President of Collège Boréal.
2002
September
Collège Boréal opens its territory to the Southwest Central.
2005
September
Inauguration of Collège Boréal’s first student residence: the Vale Inco residence.
2006
January
Appointment of Denis Hubert-Dutrisac as President of Collège Boréal.
2006
September
- Inauguration of the new Institut des métiers et technologies appliquées on the main campus.
- Announcement of the construction of a new campus in Timmins.
2008
May
Signing of the first memorandum of understanding between Collège Boréal, the six school boards and the two French-language and bilingual universities in Northern Ontario on the province’s aménagement linguistique policy.
2008
June
First postsecondary institution in Ontario to receive a designation under the French Language Services Act.
2008
November
Inauguration of “Notre place” at the main campus.
2009
October
Opening of the new Timmins campus.
2009
December
Inauguration of the Xstrata Nickel Centre for applied biodiversity research.
2010
April
Unveiling of Collège Boréal’s coat of arms by the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
2012
September
- Opening of the Performance Hall at the main campus.
- Opening of the Toronto campus located at 1 Yonge Street.
2013
Appointment of Pierre Riopel as President of Collège Boréal.
2016
Appointment of Daniel Giroux as President of Collège Boréal.
2017
April
Collège Boréal is ranked 1st in 4 of the 5 Ontario government performance indicators (student satisfaction, graduate satisfaction, job placement rate, graduation rate)—a first in Ontario.
2017
September
Closing of the New Liskeard campus.
2018
July
Windsor campus opens.
2018
September
Creation of Boréal Online.
2018
October
Announcement of a permanent campus in Toronto in the historic Distillery District.
2019
September
Collège Boréal moves to Ottawa, to the Saint Paul University campus.
2020
Inauguration of Research & Innovation Boréal.
2021
June
Collège Boréal’s 25th anniversary celebrations include the unveiling of the documentary “Les yeux sur Boréal” and 13 clips on the major impacts of the institution.
2022
- Creation of the new Office of Quality Assurance, Corporate Research and Strategic Planning.
- Beginning of the renovation of the future temporary campus in the historic Distillery district of Toronto.
2022
March
Michelle Kozlowski and Frédéric Houle win the bronze medal in badminton at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s national tournament.
2022
September
Launch of the Public Administration program in Ottawa
2022
November
- Gisèle Chrétien receives the “Pilier collégial francophone” award from the Réseau des cégeps et des collèges francophones du Canada.
- First agreement to relocate Collège Boréal’s programs to the École Canadienne de Tunis.
News
Collège Boréal shines at the 2025 Skills Ontario Competition

Pôle entrepreneuriat – HEC Montréal and Collège Boréal launch new collaboration to support Francophone entrepreneurs

YMCA to be living classroom for Collège Boréal’s Fitness and Health Promotion program students

Events
29
May
Graduation Ceremony – Toronto
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29 May 2025
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14:00
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Metro Toronto Convention Centre (255 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2W6)
3
Jun
Graduation Ceremony – Sudbury and Nipissing
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3 June 2025
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Collège Boréal – Trisac Hall (21 Lasalle Blvd, Sudbury, ON P3A 6B1)
5
Jun
8th Annual Boréal Alumni Golf Tournament
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5 June 2025
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12:30
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Timberwolf Golf Club, 1930 Maley Dr, Garson, ON P3L 1M5
Useful Links
Useful Links