The Need
Canada offers an amazing diversity of learning opportunities which Canadians intuitively know is directly connected to a healthy and prosperous Canada. While Canadians understand the positive impact that lifelong learning has on the quality of life of individuals, workplaces and communities, there remain challenges: The phrase ‘lifelong learning’ does not have a common spelling or connotation. The phrase “lifelong learning” is often mistakenly confused with adult learning and learning for a job rather than for learning for life. While learning is a responsibility of us wherever we live, there are silos between provinces having local jurisdiction for education and federal with Indigenous learning accountability. There are learners all across Canada that participate in lifelong learning but who do not or cannot communicate their successes or ask for advice from others. A growing learning industry in Canada encourages learning providers to compete often to the detriment of the learner, creating confusion in learners as well as countering any natural movement of learners through learning opportunities. The lack of money to pay for the increasing costs of learning is often a significant barrier to learners. So, while lifelong learning is a framework on which the challenges of Canadian life are met by individuals, communities and organizations, our dream of a Learning Canada is not yet a reality.

We believe that
• Lifelong learning is for all ages of learners – from the young through to the mature
• Lifelong learning includes all those learning opportunities that happen through life
• All learning opportunities are worthy according to the value given to them by the learner
• Financial barriers to learning continue to be a significant impediment to learning
• It is an injustice that learning stops because learners cannot pay
• The amount of lifelong learning will increase if Canadian learners, Canadian communities and Canadian workplaces are recognized for their efforts and shown other possibilities
• A Canadian lifelong learning framework that recognizes, encourages, awards and financially supports learners, communities and workplaces is vital for a Learning Canada
• More lifelong learning will happen if we all keep on learning
• The Canadian Learning Trust can build a Learning Canada – one learner at a time.

A Learning Canada would be recognized by these outcomes:
• All children in Canada are equipped to learn all through their lives
• All Canadians learn to live well and to make a living
• There are no financial barriers to learning
• All Canadians are literate and productive citizens
• Canadian communities solve their problems through learning
• Canadian workplaces purposefully invest in worker learning.

We Value
• The power of inclusivity and diversity of learning opportunities, styles and methods
• A problem-solving approach through purposeful learning
• The celebration of learning done well by learners, communities and workplaces
• The generosity of people who help learners to keep on learning.

Our Vision
We dream of a prosperous Canada enriched with a love of learning – a Learning Canada.

Our Mission
Lifelong Learning Canada champions learning for all Canadians of all ages across Canada with these programs and services.
1. The Gift of Learning
2. Recognition Program
3. The GoldEye – A Learning Planner and Tracker
4. New Canadians Learn.

Lifelong Learning Canada is building a learning Canada – one learner at a time. As a lifelong learning champion and a charity, we rally other champions to eliminate poverty and illiteracy. We serve all ages of Canadians, across Canada, through programs like encourage, promote and celebrate those who keep on learning. Our focus in 2025 is on the littlest learners, employers, students and new Canadians. Do you agree with this Declaration? Will you stand up and be counted as a fellow champion of learning and a member of Lifelong Learning Canada?