Can Code

January 23, 2018 – Ottawa, Ontario

The Federal Government is giving young Canadians here in Surrey and across Canada the digital skills needed for future jobs by providing funding for Can Code programs to teach the next generation of Canadians the coding skills required for the middle class jobs of tomorrow. Organizations such as The Learning Partnership here in Surrey are helping to administer these programs in local schools.

The federal government is investing in young Canadians to provide them with the digital skills needed for the middle-class jobs of tomorrow. Thanks to this wonderful investment in coding and digital skills training at Surrey Centre Elementary School, more young Canadians will be equipped with the in-demand digital literacy and problem-solving skills required by today’s employers.

The funding was announced by MP John Aldag of Cloverdale City along with MP Randeep Sarai of Surrey Centre during a visit to Surrey Centre Elementary School on January 24 th , 2018.

The investment is being allocated through the new CanCode program, a $50-million federal program that gives students from kindergarten to grade 12 the opportunity to learn coding and other digital skills. The funding will also provide thousands of Canadian teachers with the tools needed to educate Canadian youth on these skills. CanCode is a Budget 2017 commitment aiming to teach digital skills to over one million Canadian students and their teachers.

“Becoming the most innovative country begins with investing in Canadian talent. Our government is committed to equipping Canadian youth with the digital skills they need for the jobs of the future. By teaching kids to code today, we’re positioning Canada for future
success across all industries and sectors because these kids will facilitate digital adoption, making all Canadian industries more profitable and globally competitive.”

- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

“It’s great to see our young people actively engaged in the learning of the future. The young people of today are the leaders of tomorrow and the investment we make in them as youth is the foundation for the future of our country.”

- John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City

Quick Fact

• CanCode will invest $50 million over two years, starting in 2017–18, to support initiatives providing educational opportunities forcoding and digital skills development to Canadian youth from kindergarten to grade 12
• The program will also equip 63,000 teachers across the country with the training and tools to teach digital skills and coding.

For more information:

Kurtis Layden
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
613-992-0884
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca