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Dr. Paul Cappon was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Council on Learning in October 2004.
A prominent educator, doctor and administrator, Dr. Cappon has been a lifelong education advocate, community supporter and author of numerous publications on learning and community medicine. Read more »
On March 30, 2010, the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL) met with parliamentarians from all political parties to discuss the state of lifelong learning in Canada. The event, Taking Stock: Lifelong Learning in Canada 2005–2010, attracted nearly two-dozen MPs and senators who engaged in a thought-provoking discussion with CCL staff and myself.
This report is a reaction to—and an expansion of—the Taking Stock event and provides Canadians the information and analysis that we shared on that day, fleshed out with richer detail and context.
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This is an unprecedented and important day for the Canadian Council on Learning. For four hours, my senior staff, and I will be speaking directly to a group of MPs and senators about the state of lifelong learning in Canada. CCL sent an invitation to every member of both houses of Parliament to join us for a comprehensive overview of lifelong learning. We were pleased that more than twenty parliamentarians accepted our invitation, and we are looking forward to a stimulating exchange.
As you may have heard, the Government of Canada has decided to end its funding of CCL. Our present agreement will expire on March 31. This will necessitate a dramatic scaling down at CCL. However, we are determined to fulfil our current commitments, and identify new ways to serve Canadians, albeit with more modest means. I believe that it is important to maintain the momentum generated by CCL and, over the next few weeks, we will be considering how best to continue.
The holidays provide us with a chance to relax, spend time with friends and family and reflect on the year past. Looking back on 2009, I’m happy to report that it was a banner year for the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL). Despite some adversity, CCL released an impressive slate of reports and publications that informed and engaged Canadians on an unprecedented level about the benefits of lifelong learning.
CBC Radio’s open-line current affairs program Cross Country Checkup devoted their November 22nd show to a lively discussion on the effectiveness of homework. Contributing to the conversation was CCL's President and CEO Dr. Paul Cappon, who chatted with host Rex Murphy about the pros and cons of homework in Canada’s schools.
Listen to Dr. Cappon's interview (MP3, 11.3 MB)
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CCL’s original five-year agreement with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) has been extended an additional year, to March 31, 2010, without additional funding. In order to continue its core activities of research, and monitoring and reporting on the state of learning in Canada, CCL is streamlining its operations. CCL remains in active discussions with HRSDC regarding a future funding agreement beyond March 2010.
More on CCL's restructuring »
Marc Lortie, Ambassador of Canada to France, opened his doors and hosted the launch of the book Education, Training and Sustainability. Conditions for success in a changing world. View the photo gallery »
For two weeks in May 2008, the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL) was delighted to host a visit to Canada of Stefan Wolter, Director of the Swiss Coordination Centre for Research in Education, a body co-funded by the federal and cantonal levels of government to ensure the harmonization of education research across Switzerland. Paul Cappon interviewed Dr Wolter, who reflected on some of the impressions gleaned from his wide-ranging discussions with Canadian policy-makers, researchers and practitioners in the field of learning.
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Date
Subject
A vital signpost at the global economic crossroads
Reflections on CCL's newest product for Canadian Learning: The Online Adult Literacy Assessment
CCL’s role in a period of economic challenges
PLAR – an idea whose time has come
Paul Cappon’s perspective on adult literacy in Canada
Measuring success in First Nations, Inuit and Métis learning, published in Policy Options (PDF, 200 KB)
A closer look at the new ‘bible’ of PSE
Working Together for Success
Low levels of literacy are not healthy
Let them play!
Words of comfort to parents about homework
CCL calls for clear, measurable goals in post-secondary education
CCL Board of Directors Lunch with Montreal business leaders
The Economic Crisis and Innovation: The Need for Training”
At the International Economic Forum of the Americas / Conference of Montreal
Adult Learning Knowledge Centre Conference
Notes for an address to be delivered at the Health and Learning Knowledge Centre Event
Presentation at the Residence of the Ambassador to France
Education and Training: A Primary Source of Sustainability The International Economic Forum of the Americas Conference of Montreal Montreal, QC
Launch of 2008 Composite Learning Index Ottawa, ON
Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre National Conference Town Hall Meeting Vancouver, B.C.
Address to the President of the Federal Republic of Germany’s Forum on Demographic Change Berlin, Germany
Address to the Association of Community Colleges: Importance of PSE Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Announcing the pilot project with Vancouver Learning City Initiative Calgary, Alberta
The role of education and training in building success in business and for Canada as a whole Victoria, BC
Presentation on the issue of employability Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities
Launch of State of Learning in Canada: No Time for Complacency Literacy BC's Breakfast of Champions
Adult and Workplace Learning Vancouver Board of Trade
Canadian Post-secondary Education: A Positive Record – An Uncertain Future National Press Theatre, Ottawa
CCL to partner with Policy Action Group on Learning Montreal Conference
CCL introduces the Composite Learning Index, Canada's powerful new tool to measure lifelong learning Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa
The Interface between research and policy Aboriginal Policy Research Conference
National Dialogue on Aboriginal Learning
Announcing the Adult Learning Knowledge Centre
On March 30, 2010, CCL met with members of both houses of Parliament in Ottawa for Taking Stock of Lifelong Learning in Canada: 2005–2010, a comprehensive overview of lifelong learning. The Business News Network (BNN) spoke to Dr. Paul Cappon, President and CEO of CCL, later in the day on the link between lifelong learning and productivity.
Watch video »
Press conference footage from the Dec. 9, 2009 release for the landmark report from the Canadian Council on Learning, The State of Aboriginal Learning in Canada: A Holistic Approach to Measuring Success. This clip features: Paul Cappon, President and CEO of CCL; Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations; Mary Simon, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; Marc Leclair, Métis National Council; Betty Ann Lavallée, National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, and; Jeannette Corbiere Lavell, President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada. Watch video »
Promising Practices was a series of five videos produced for the Canadian Council on Learning’s 2006 Composite Learning Index. The series highlights effective lifelong learning practices across Canada in CCL’s five main research areas: Health and Learning, Adult Learning, Work and Learning, Early Childhood Learning and Aboriginal Learning. Introduction: Dr. Paul Cappon, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Council on Learning, introduces the video series Promising Practices. Watch video »
Dr. Paul Cappon was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Council on Learning in October 2004. A prominent educator, doctor and administrator, Dr. Cappon has been a lifelong education advocate, community supporter and author of numerous publications on learning and community medicine.
He has earned degrees in several fields, including a PhD in sociology from the Université de Paris, a medical degree (MD) from McMaster and a family medicine specialization from Dalhousie.
Since the 1970s, Dr. Cappon has built a remarkable public service career. He has been a faculty member at several Canadian universities including Laurentian, McGill, Saint Mary's and UBC, teaching both sociology and medicine.
Most recently, he served as the Director General of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada. In addition to his contributions in academia, Dr. Cappon served, among other roles, as Director of AIDS studies at the Montreal General Hospital. Dr. Cappon is a member of the International Coordinating Council at the State of the World Forum, as well as being a member of the Historica Council of the Historica Foundation of Canada. He is also Chair of the Policy Action Group on Learning for the Commission on Globalization.
In 2002, Dr. Cappon received the Commemorative Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for his significant contribution to his profession. He is fluent in French and English and has a working knowledge of Italian and German.