The Canadian Political Science Association was founded in 1913 and incorporated under the Canada Corporation Act in 1971. The objectives of the Association as stated in its Constitution are:

• To encourage and develop political science and its relationship with other disciplines;
• To hold conferences, meetings and exhibitions for the discussion of political science problems and the exchange of views in matters relating to political science;
• To purchase, acquire, take by gift, any devise, bequest, or donation for the objectives of the corporation;
• To give grants, scholarships or fellowships to deserving individuals, groups of persons or organizations in pursuance of the objects of the corporation;
• To publish journals, newspapers, books and monographs relating to political science

The Association as such, will not assume a position upon any question of public policy not directly related to the discipline of political science or commit its members to any position thereupon.