[3] The principal objectives of CAUT, as defined in its general by-law, are the following: In November 1949, the Association of Teaching Staff of the University of Alberta first began exploring the idea of creating a national association of faculty to deal with issues of "salaries and pensions, sabbatical leave and academic freedom.

[citation needed] When the Learned Societies, now Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, held their annual session in 1950 at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, an organizing committee was established and a decision was made to establish a national organization of university teachers.

By 1957, CAUT represented about 78 per cent of Canadian university teachers with 26 member associations and 3,400 full-time faculty.

The letter, obtained by the Principal of the college, was critical of the administration and made disparaging comments about the religious influence over the institution.

In its final report, the committee concluded that Crowe's dismissal violated due process, natural justice, and academic freedom.

The time, effort, and expenditure demanded by the case demonstrated the need for a permanent office which was established in Ottawa in the fall of 1959.

In addition, provincial college faculty associations from British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta have joined.

[citation needed] While collective bargaining occupies a much more central place in CAUT's operations today, the defence of academic freedom remains a core priority.

[14] On 22 April 2021, CAUT censured the University of Toronto over its decision to terminate the candidacy of Valentina Azarova for the directorship of the international human rights program at the Faculty of Law.