Canadian Council on Learning | Conseil Canadien sur l'Apprentissage

Canadian Council on Learning responds to the 2007 federal budget

March 19, 2007 Ottawa—Measures announced in the 2007 federal budget recognize the need for Canada to keep pace with commitments being made internationally to post-secondary education and workplace training, says the Canadian Council on Learning.

“Since its creation in 2004, the Canadian Council on Learning has worked toward establishing a culture of lifelong learning in Canada. The measures in this budget address several critical phases of the learning cycle, from apprenticeship to universities to workplace training,” said CEO Dr. Paul Cappon. “In the near future, the vast majority of jobs in Canada will require some form of post-secondary education. Adequate financial support is not only in the interest of individual Canadians, but in the public interest. Our prosperity is dependent on our ability to further learning for all Canadians.”

Cappon said the Council is encouraged by the budget’s emphasis on labour market training. “In our report on the state of post-secondary education, we referred to the pressing need to maintain a skilled and adaptable workforce. We commend the commitment by the Government of Canada to ensure reporting and accountability to Canadians of the impact of the measures announced today,” said Cappon.

The Council’s 2006 report on post-secondary education, Canadian Post-secondary Education: A Positive Record – An Uncertain Future, pointed out the challenge faced by Canada in terms of achieving its social and economic goals through post-secondary education.

“While we have much to be proud of, other countries and economic unions are investing strategically in their universities, colleges and apprenticeship programs based on shared objectives. Most importantly, Canada will only make the most of whatever it invests in PSE if it sets specific goals and establishes mechanisms to measure the impact of those investments,” said Cappon.

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The Canadian Council on Learning is an independent, not-for-profit corporation funded through an agreement with Human Resources and Social Development Canada. Its mandate is to promote and support evidence-based decisions about learning throughout all stages of life, from early childhood through to the senior years.

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