Survey of Canadian Attitudes toward Learning

Data from the first-ever Survey of Canadian Attitudes toward Learning, released today, provide a barometer of opinions, perceptions and beliefs about lifelong learning among Canadians.

The survey was sponsored by the Canadian Council on Learning, and asked more than 5,000 adults about four aspects of learning throughout the lifespan: early childhood learning, structured learning (elementary, secondary and postsecondary), work-related learning, and health and learning.

The survey showed that the vast majority of Canadian adults feel there is a strong relationship between education and success in life.

Over 80% of adult Canadians believe that it is not just formal education that is critical to success, but it is also learning during each specific stage from birth to age five, and through the elementary, secondary and postsecondary levels.

Results showed that Canadians believe in fostering positive learning experiences in early childhood and in promoting a love of learning in schools. Parents of young children supported fostering positive attitudes about learning during early childhood, even more strongly than preparing children for learning in school.

Respondents nearly all agreed that it is important for elementary and secondary schools to teach the basics: reading, writing, and arithmetic. They also thought that schools should prepare students for work and further learning as well as teach them to be good citizens.

The survey found that adults who had positive academic experiences in elementary and secondary school were far more likely to participate in work-related training, one of the facets of lifelong learning.

Over two-thirds of Canadians who took work-related training in the past year, did so to perform more effectively in their current jobs. Only about one-third indicated that they underwent work-related training to earn more money or to get a better job.

The survey also found that Canadians use multiple resources to learn about health-related issues. In the year prior to the survey, three-quarters of adults learned about health issues from their family doctor, a higher proportion than from any other single resource.

Data from the Survey of Canadian Attitudes toward Learning are now available. The Canadian Council on Learning has prepared a report containing further conclusions based on the data. The report is available online (http://www.ccl-cca.ca/scal).

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 5122.

To order data, contact Client Services (toll-free 1-800-307-3382; 613-951-7608; fax: 613-951-9040; educationstats@statcan.gc.ca). For general information or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Christine Hinchley (613-951-5092), Culture, Tourism and the Centre for Education Statistics.