In its 2013 pre-budget submission, CASA recommended that the federal government require all publicly funded research to be made available in an Open Access format. This would make research results freely available for all, without restrictions on use through copyright or license restrictions. This free flow of information promotes accessibility and helps foster increased research and innovation.

By spring 2013, the Tri-Council Agencies (SSHRC, CIHR, and NSERC), had begun the process of bringing this recommendation to fruition by harmonizing their Open Access policies. These policies were made official for all three agencies in 2015, following consultations with CASA and other stakeholders.