Canadian Council on Learning | Conseil Canadien sur l'Apprentissage

The State of Post-secondary Education in Canada 2006

Canadian Post-secondary Education 
A Positive Record – An Uncertain Future

Backgrounder

Canada has a strong track record in postsecondary education (PSE) and training. Participation and attainment rates have soared since the 1940s, when only 4% of Canadians pursued higher studies. Today, 44% possess some form of post-secondary credentials, the second-highest rate in the world.

The country's PSE achievements support a high standard of living and quality of life for Canadians. Education and training play a pivotal role in job creation, prosperity, inclusion and social cohesion. Aside from higher wages—$1 million more over a person's lifetime—there is a strong correlation between PSE and high levels of volunteerism and charitable giving, reduced use of the health-care system, lower crime rates and less reliance on social assistance.

Even though more than 40% of Canadians have some PSE, up to 70% of today's new and replacement jobs require post-secondary credentials. The gap will widen as skills requirements continue to rise and as our population growth slows.

Of equal concern, Canadians' access to learning opportunities is uneven. PSE participation is directly linked to individuals' financial status and geographic location. Members of underrepresented groups, particularly Aboriginal Canadians, continue to face significant challenges in pursuing post-secondary studies.

Furthermore, the number of students on campuses is increasing. There is rising demand for space and resources, putting stress on existing institutional infrastructure. Maintaining an adequate supply of qualified instructors is also a major problem as many professors, like most older Canadian workers, are retiring.

Similar challenges face most developed countries, many of which have created aggressive strategies for PSE to advance their national interests. They also produce more PhDs and invest more heavily in research and development (R&D), the primary source of innovation in today's information- and technology-driven world.

Canada's premiers, through the Council of the Federation, have recognized the growing importance of PSE and the need for national action on this priority. The Canadian Council on Learning is fully supportive of this position. If Canada is serious about improving educational outcomes for Canadians—to stimulate economic growth, strengthen communities and enhance social cohesion—it must take a strategic, coordinated, pan-Canadian approach to assure PSE accessibility, affordability, quality, mobility and responsiveness. If not, Canada risks falling behind in a highly competitive global environment.

Related:
Post-secondary education: the benefits to Canada
Post-secondary education: the benefits to individual Canadians

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