For any questions about the Fall 2025 pilot program, contact ceehelp@sfu.ca.
OVERVIEW
SFU is transitioning from a locally hosted (on-premise) version of Canvas to a cloud-based version (Canvas Cloud). This means that instead of being managed on SFU’s own servers, Canvas will now be hosted on Instructure’s cloud platform.
Starting in Spring 2026, all courses at SFU will be hosted on the new Canvas Cloud platform, which is based in Canada.
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
SFU currently uses an on-premise version of Canvas that is becoming obsolete. As a result, the on-premise version is facing growing performance challenges, as well as falling behind in features and functionality compared to the vendor-supported Canvas Cloud.
Transitioning to Canvas Cloud will provide a more reliable platform and access to new tools and capabilities, including enhanced quiz functionality, annotation features in SpeedGrader, and advanced analytics.
This change aligns with What’s Next: The SFU Strategy and reflects SFU IT Services’ commitment to leveraging technology to enhance the university experience for students, instructors and staff.
WHO IS AFFECTED?
Anyone who uses Canvas at SFU, for example students, instructors, lifelong learners and staff.
WHAT DO INSTRUCTORS NEED TO DO?
For all instructors teaching courses in Spring 2026, we suggest taking the following steps starting in the Fall:
- Attend sessions on the new platform offered by the Centre for Educational Excellence (CEE).
- If required, migrate course content from the on-premise Canvas to Canvas Cloud using IT Services’ course migration tool.
- Build, test and troubleshoot your Spring 2026 course.
Scenario 1: I am building a new course for Spring 2026
If you are teaching a course in Spring 2026 and plan to build your course from scratch, you will be able to begin building your course in Canvas Cloud in September 2025.
Scenario 2: I want to reuse content from a previous course for Spring 2026
If you are teaching a course in Spring 2026 and wish to use content from a previous course taught in the on-premise version of Canvas, you will be able to migrate that course content to the new Canvas Cloud platform. IT Services will provide a course migration tool to support this process in September 2025, along with guides to support its use.
Note: All course shells for credit courses scheduled in goSFU or eTRACS will now be created automatically for you and will appear on your Canvas Cloud dashboard.
HOW WILL THIS IMPACT STUDENTS?
Students will access and navigate Canvas Cloud much like the on-premise version of Canvas, with a modernized interface and enhanced user experience. This change will allow them to experience a more innovative and reliable platform.
HOW WILL I ACCESS CANVAS CLOUD?
Access to Canvas Cloud will be available starting September 2025. Further instructions on how to access it (i.e. web address) will be provided at a later date.
FAQs
MIGRATION AND TIMELINE
When is the transition to Canvas Cloud happening?
Starting in Spring 2026, all courses will be delivered through Canvas Cloud.
Instructors can begin building or migrating courses to the new Canvas Cloud platform in September 2025. IT Services will release a course migration tool in September 2025 to automate the migration process.
A small group of volunteer instructors will have early access to Canvas Cloud for testing and trial purposes.
Which of my past courses will be migrated to Canvas Cloud?
As instructors are the experts on what courses and course content they wish to maintain, they are responsible for migrating courses from the on-premise version of Canvas to Canvas Cloud. IT Services will provide a course migration tool to support this process in September 2025.
How long will it take me to complete the course migration process?
Course migrations with the course migration tool should only take a few minutes to complete, subject to possible system delays during peak periods.
After migration, instructors will need to review the course for any issues and make necessary adjustments. In rare cases, links to media files or third-party tools (LTIs) may not transfer correctly and may need to be manually updated.
What content can’t be migrated to Canvas Cloud? Will I need to rebuild anything?
COURSE
All course materials, or content created by instructors, can be migrated using the course migration tool. In rare cases, links to media files or third-party tools (LTIs) may not transfer correctly and may need to be manually updated. Student-generated content cannot be migrated, including grades, submissions, discussion replies.
PROFILE
Profile content cannot be migrated and will need to be rebuilt. This includes personal files, biography information, picture, ePortfolio and any other profile customizations.
Can I continue to teach courses in the on-premise version of Canvas after Spring 2026?
No, starting Spring 2026, all credit and non-credit courses should be taught in Canvas Cloud. Instructors can start developing their Spring 2026 courses in Canvas Cloud in September.
I am new to Canvas Cloud. Where can I go to learn more?
CEE will provide sessions on new features in Canvas Cloud starting in Fall 2025. See CEE’s
workshop and events page for more details.
Where do I go for help if the migration didn’t work correctly?
If the migration tool is not working as expected, submit a support ticket with
our Canvas administrators and include the
report log that is created when using the migration tool.
NAVIGATION AND ACCESS
What is the difference between our current, on-premise version of Canvas and Canvas Cloud?
ACCESS
Students and instructors will access and navigate Canvas Cloud much like the on-premise version, with only minimal differences in the user experience.
COURSE FEATURES
The new platform will offer new features, including enhanced quiz functionality, new annotation capabilities in SpeedGrader, and more advanced analytic tools.
Can I create sandbox courses on Canvas Cloud to experiment with content, tools and design?
Yes, instructors can access practice course spaces, or sandbox courses, starting September 2025. CEE will provide support on how to create sandbox courses in Fall 2025. See CEE’s
workshop and events page for more details.
I can’t find my Spring 2026 course shell on Canvas Cloud. What do I do?
Spring 2026 course shells will be automatically created and assigned to instructors in September 2025. Instructors should see their course shells on the Canvas dashboard by early September.
If your course does not appear on your dashboard by mid-September, please check with your department’s administrative staff to confirm your course information has been added to goSFU or eTRACS.
COURSE RETENTION AND RETIREMENT
I am an instructor. what happens to past courses I have taught in the on-premise version of Canvas after we transition to Canvas Cloud?
Courses in the on-premise version of Canvas will remain accessible for at least one year after the transition to Canvas Cloud. More information about the eventual retirement of the on-premise Canvas courses will be shared at a later date.
I am concerned about losing access to student content in past courses. What if I want to refer to past student materials to write a reference letter, such as assessments, individual grades, assignments?
Instructors who would like to keep student-generated content will need to download this content. Instructors can download the Gradebook for a record of student grades.
This access will be available for at least one year after the transition to Canvas Cloud. More information about the eventual retirement of the on-premise Canvas courses will be shared at a later date.
Canvas also provides a way to download student submissions, but this must be done for each assignment. More information on this is available through Canvas’s Instructor Guide.
DATA PRIVACY
Where are the servers for the new Canvas Cloud located?
The servers hosting SFU’s Canvas Cloud are located in Canada.
How secure is my content on Canvas Cloud? Where can I find privacy and compliance information on Instructure?
Will my content be used to train artificial intelligence models and tools?
No, Instructure has a strong statement on the protection of customer data. Canvas Cloud will provide AI features on its platform where no customer data will be used to train any AI feature model.
Data will only be shared to AI models when you choose to use Canvas Cloud AI features to generate prompts. These models are housed internally by Instructure and no data ever leaves their data center in Canada. For further details, visit
AI Nutrition Facts on Canvas Discussion Summaries.
Note: Instructors can choose to enabled or disabled AI features under Course Settings > Feature Options.