The Canadian Association for Postcolonial Studies, formerly CACLALS, founded in 1973, is the first and most established association in Canada devoted to specialized research and creative production in the field of postcolonial studies. The association brings together critics, scholars, teachers, students, and creative practitioners who share an interest in postcolonial and global literatures and oratures, as well as the versions of English they employ. Through its affiliation with ACLALS, the Association provides members with an international context for studying Canadian, postcolonial and global literatures and cultures within and beyond the framework of the Canadian academy.
The current headquarters of CAPS is at The Royal Military College of Canada, in Kingston, Ontario. The association regularly sponsors joint sessions with other societies such as ACCUTE (Association of Canadian College and University Teachers of English), ACQL (Association for Canadian and Québec Literatures) and ILSA (Indigenous Literary Studies Association) in areas of common interest.
CAPS is an affiliate of the international Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies (ACLALS). Members of CAPS automatically acquire membership in the international body.
CAPS has also taken a strong interest in fostering the study of Indigenous literatures and oratures in Canada. Members Jo-Ann Episkenew and Renate Eigenbrod initiated the practice of organizing the Roundtable on Aboriginal issues at each annual conference, and the Association regularly sponsors conference panels of scholarly papers on Aboriginal topics.