About Vanier

Vanier College is a publicly-funded English language CEGEP located in Montreal. Named in honour of General Georges P. Vanier, Canada’s second native-born Governor General, Vanier College opened its doors on September 8, 1970, welcoming close to 1,400 students in its first cohort. The Vanier College Crest is an adaption of the Vanier family Coat of Arms.

The Vanier College Campus

Situated on an oasis of green in the Borough of Saint-Laurent, of the City of Montreal, Vanier College occupies property and buildings purchased by the government from the Soeurs de Sainte-Croix who previously operated a convent (Couvent Notre-Dame-des-Anges) and a private women’s college (Collège Basile-Moreau) in the location. These buildings have undergone considerable renovations over the years to accommodate the changing needs of post secondary education.

The Snowdon Campus & The N-Building

A second Vanier College campus (Snowdon Campus) was opened in 1973. Located at the corner of Queen Mary Road and Decarie Boulevard, and offering pre-univeristy and career programs, it operated for several years before Vanier amalgamated on the Ste-Croix campus. Students were conducted between the two campuses by regular shuttle buses along the Decarie Expressway. These buses became more essential with the opening of the Ste-Croix campus Sports Complex with its triple gym, palestre, swimming pool, racketball courts, dance studio, and fitness center in 1978.The Snowdon Campus was closed in 1986, and a five story, well-equipped laboratory and classroom building (New Building) was erected on the Ste-Croix campus to accommodate all of the students.

Career and Pre-University Programs

Vanier College continues to offer pre-university programs and technical career programs leading to a Diploma of College Studies, while the Continuing Education Department offers a wide variety of Attestation Programs, Credit and LifeSkills courses throughout the year. Each spring, family, friends, and staff gather to honour the graduating students at the Convocation Ceremony held for the past several years at Place des Arts in Théâtre Maisonneuve

Vanier's Academic Life

The academic life of the College is enhanced through a multitude of student services, resource centers, and social and cultural activities. A hallmark of Vanier College has been its diverse student body with students from all cultural backgrounds and from every continent being represented in the College community

Vanier College Athletics

The Athletics Department has fielded competitive teams in ten collegiate sports. The Vanier College Cheetahs have produced a number of professional athletes and won both National and Provincial Championships. In particular, the Men’s AAA Basketball team just captured their second National Championship, and the Men’s AAA Football team won their ninth Bol d’Or Provincial Championship. Additionally, Vanier College is a designated Sport-Études college, welcoming elite athletes to its student body.

Vanier's Student Population

Today, the student population numbers over 6,700 full-time day students with an additional 2,000 students attending through the Continuing Education Department (credit and non-credit Life Skills courses). It also has a growing International Education sector. Vanier College recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a year-long series of activities culminating in the 40th Anniversary Reunion Picnic.