NICKEL BELT-GREATER SUDBURY – There is a growing need for a workforce savvy in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), capable of taking on challenges to compete in the continually evolving digital economy growing in Northern Ontario. That’s why, to prepare the next generation of workers to succeed in the increasingly data and technology driven economy, the Government of Canada is providing support to millions of young Canadians looking to improve their digital skills.

Today, Marc Serré MP for Nickel Belt and Paul Lefebvre MP for Sudbury highlight the impacts of the first phase of CanCode that enabled 3137 students in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury to receive digital skills training. Events that emphasize learning through play and interesting workshops have been held locally in partnership with Science North, Kids Code Jeunesse and Canada Learning Code. These workshops were delivered in partnership with Cambrian College, Laurentian University, Science North and local school boards. In 2018, MPs announced a $2 million investment for Science North to develop and implement programs to equip local youth with digital literacy and problem-solving skills.

Based on the success of commitments and investments from Budget 2017, the federal government has now committed an additional $60 million in Budget 2019 for the next two years with a goal of reaching another two million students and teachers nationwide to empower the next generation of young people.

CanCode gives students from kindergarten to grade 12 the opportunity to learn digital skills, like coding, data analytics and digital content development, including artificial intelligence. CanCode also provides Canadian teachers with the know-how to incorporate new digital skills and technologies into their classrooms, and encourages young women, Indigenous peoples and other under-represented groups to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

As the labour market needs change in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury it is more important than ever to inspire young individuals to consider a career path in STEM. With the recent accreditation of Cambrian College as a Technology Access Centre and historic investments in research at Laurentian University and College Boreal, the region has positioned itself as a leader in technology and development which will boost the demand for qualified individuals. Through the CanCode program we ensure that children are made aware of STEM fields and consider this field of work as they pursue post-secondary education and plan for their future.

Quotes

“Young Canadians will drive our economic success for years to come. By investing in resources to teach them digital skills and making higher education more affordable, our government is helping them transition successfully from classrooms to research labs, shop floors or boardrooms.”

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

“This investment is great news for Nickel Belt- Greater Sudbury students and youth! It gives them the opportunity to learn the digital skills they need for future employment in high-demand STEM fields. Based on the success of the first phase of CanCode I look forward to seeing how school boards including Sudbury Catholic District School Board, Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board and Near North District School Board, our post-secondary institutions and community partners continue to provide our youth with the tools they need to prepare them for tomorrow’s job market!”

-Marc Serré, MP Nickel Belt

“Supporting the digital skills and coding in the K-12 student population is critical to ensuring that Canadian youth are exposed to the concepts needed to encourage future study pathways and the kinds of skills that match workforce demand, enabling them to seize opportunities emerging as a result of the rapidly evolving digital economy”.

-Paul Lefebvre, MP Sudbury

“It is very exciting to hear that the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development has extended the CanCode program. This investment is an incredible opportunity for young Canadians to continue building valuable digital skills and coding expertise. Science North had great success delivering CanCode funded programs from 2017-19, reaching more than 43,000 students and 2,500 teachers across Northern Ontario.”

-Guy Labine, Science North CEO

Quick facts

• Budget 2019 is investing $60 million in CanCode. This investment is in addition to the $50 million from Budget 2017, for a total of $110 million.
• To date, over 1.9 million students and 61,000 teachers have participated in CanCode activities. Through this second phase of CanCode, more than two million Canadian students and teachers will receive training by March 2021.
• CanCode has a student stream and a teacher stream. CanCode 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 and to promote, encourage and spark awareness and interest in coding and digital skills more broadly. The long-term goal is to make Canada a leading innovation economy with a diverse and inclusive workforce.  

Associated links

• CanCode

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For media:

Kaylie Dudgeon,
Special Assistant
MP, Marc Serré
[email protected]
705-897-2222