Canada needs a workforce that is strong in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and capable of taking on challenges to compete in the digital economy. To make sure the next generation of young Canadians can thrive in that digital reality, the Government of Canada is supporting millions of students in improving their digital skills.
On February 11, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the 29 organizations across the country that are receiving $80 million in funding in the third phase of the CanCode program.
This investment will enable these organizations to offer 3 million training opportunities for students, from kindergarten to Grade 12, to learn digital skills, like coding, data analytics and digital content development. Since 2017, CanCode has helped provide over 4.5 million coding and digital skills training opportunities to students and over 220,000 to teachers. With February 11's announcement, that means 7.5 million training opportunities will help millions of young Canadians be better prepared for the jobs of tomorrow. CanCode also helps Canadian teachers acquire the know-how to incorporate new digital skills and technologies into their classrooms. As well, the program has a focus on encouraging under-represented groups, like Indigenous youth, Black youth and girls, to pursue careers in STEM.
CanCode also aligns with Canada's Digital Charter, a principles-based approach to building trust in the digital world. The first principle of the Charter is focused on ensuring that all Canadians have equal opportunity to participate in the digital world and the necessary tools to do so, including access, connectivity, literacy and skills.
Organizations receiving funding
- Actua
- Black Boys Code
- BGC Canada (Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada)
- Brilliant Labs
- Canada Learning Code
- COlab - Innovation sociale et culture numérique
- Cybera
- Edmonton Space & Science Foundation
- Elephant Thoughts Educational Outreach
- FIRST Robotics Canada
- Grandir Sans Frontières
- Hackergal
- Information and Communications Technology Council
- Institute for Ocean Research
- Kids Code Jeunesse
- LAUNCH Waterloo
- Let's Talk Science
- MindFuel Foundation
- Neil Squire Society
- Pinnguaq
- Saskatchewan Science Centre Inc.
- Saskatoon Industry Education Council Inc.
- Science East
- Science North
- Science World BC (ASTC Science World Society)
- Taking IT Global Youth Association
- The Learning Partnership
- University of Winnipeg Foundation
- Youth Fusion
Quotes
"To drive our economic success for years to come, we must support young Canadians in the digital world. By investing in resources that teach students things like coding and data analytics, we are helping them gain the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century economy. These are the skills that will help them transition from the classroom to research labs, shop floors and boardrooms."
- The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
Quick facts
- As announced in Budget 2021, the Government of Canada is investing $80 million in CanCode. This investment is in addition to the $60 million from Budget 2019 and $50 million from Budget 2017.
- In its first and second phases, CanCode helped provide over 4.5 million coding and digital skills training opportunities to millions of Canadian students and 220,000 to teachers. This third phase seeks to provide an additional 3 million training opportunities to students and 120,000 to teachers, with a focus on youth from under-represented groups.
- CanCode has a student stream and a teacher stream. CanCode funding recipients deliver digital skills learning opportunities for students from kindergarten to Grade 12 and/or training programs and workshops for teachers.
- CanCode is designed to complement educational curricula, promote awareness of coding, spark interest in coding and encourage digital skills more broadly. The long-term goal is to make Canada a leading innovation economy with a diverse and inclusive workforce.
- In 2019, 27 projects from across Canada received funding from the CanCode program.
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