Giving young Canadians the digital skills needed for jobs of the future

CanCode program to benefit more than 1 million young Canadians and their teachers

January 22, 2018 – Mississauga, Ontario

Learning digital skills like coding and understanding new technologies are essential for the jobs of today and tomorrow. That’s why the Government of Canada has made a historic investment to help more than one million young Canadians and their teachers learn digital skills like coding.

During a visit to Microsoft in Mississauga today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, joined by fellow Mississauga members of Parliament, announced the successful organizations that will deliver CanCode initiatives across the country.

CanCode is a $50-million program that will give over 1 million teachers and students, from kindergarten to Grade 12, the opportunity to learn digital skills like coding. This includes giving thousands of Canadian teachers the know-how to incorporate new digital skills and technologies into their classrooms.

The program aims to encourage more girls, Indigenous Canadians and other under-represented groups to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

CanCode is one of the many digital skills programs offered by the Government that seek to bridge the digital divide and help Canadians access digital technology and develop the skills they need to use them. It aligns with the Government’s Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs and ensure Canadians have the skills to succeed.