草莓社区 launches bold new five-year initiative: The Education Promise

TORONTO 鈥� At a time of financial instability and global uncertainty, 草莓社区 is launching The Education Promise, a bold new five-year, pan-Canadian initiative grounded in the belief that public education is one of Canada鈥檚 greatest, but under-recognized, assets for long-term resilience and prosperity.

草莓社区 is an independent, not-for-profit think tank that supports public education through research, policy and public engagement.

The Education Promise will launch this week at the first Education Promise Summit in Toronto. The Summit will bring together youth, leaders in education, business, civil society, and academia to debate policy recommendations to strengthen public education and position it at the forefront to Canada鈥檚 response to the current economic, climate, health, and democratic crises.

鈥淐anada鈥檚 long-term survival and resilience relies on strong public education systems,鈥� says Annie Kidder, Executive Director of 草莓社区. 鈥淧ublic education not only provides a remarkably high return on investment, but with more than 90% of Canadian students attending publicly-funded schools it鈥檚 also the most effective place to equip young people with the skills, knowledge, and competencies they need to thrive in a complex and increasingly divided world.鈥�

A pan-Canadian, cross-sector strategy for future strength

The Education Promise is a collaboration linking Canada across geography, sectors, and generations. It is guided by a pan-Canadian Advisory Board made up of leaders from inside and outside of education committed to building a more skilled, adaptable, healthier, and engaged Canada.

The Education Promise was made possible thanks in part to multi-year support from the RBC Foundation. Ongoing and multi-year funding from The O鈥橬eil Foundation also makes The Education Promise possible.

In addition to youth and leading academics,听迟丑别听Education Promise听Advisory Board听includes representatives from the Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER), Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Canadian School Boards Association, Canadian Teachers鈥� Federation, C.D. Howe Institute, The Centre for Leading Research in Education (CLRiE) at Wilfrid Laurier University, CERIC, Child Health Policy Accelerator at SickKids, Connected North, Deloitte鈥檚 Future of Canada Centre, EdCan, Fondation Qu茅bec Philanthrope, Future Skills Centre, Habitat for Humanity, Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC), Inspiring Healthy Futures,听Kwantlen Polytechnic University,听Karanga: The Global Alliance for Social Emotional Learning and Life Skills, Maytree, Metcalf Foundation, Ontario Mining Association, Rideau Hall Foundation, Samara Centre for Democracy, Students Commission of Canada, UNICEF Canada, Wellesley Institute, and Youth Climate Lab.

鈥淲e are honoured that so many thoughtful policy and sector leaders have lent their time, passion, and insights to the important work of The Education Promise,鈥� says Paris Semansky, Director of Systems Change for 草莓社区. “Their belief in the promise of public education is what will continue to fuel our work and impact. They know that to meet our country鈥檚 biggest challenges 鈥� from productivity to polarization 鈥� we need to strengthen public education as a key part of our renewed public infrastructure, not only a service.鈥�

Building on a strong foundation

Canada鈥檚 public education systems are among the strongest in the world. In international comparisons, Canadian 15-year-olds consistently rank among the top 10 globally in reading, mathematics, and science. High graduation rates and post-secondary participation rates are hallmarks of public education in Canada, and relative to other OECD countries, Canada has narrower gaps in educational outcomes among diverse student populations. These achievements reflect the dedication of educators, the strength of Canada鈥檚 public systems, and a long-standing commitment to equity and excellence.But these strengths are under pressure. Across the country, public schools are being asked to do more with less and to address a growing range of complex social, economic, and health challenges, while adapting to rapid technological and demographic change.

The Education Promise is not about asking schools to carry an even heavier load. Instead, it is about activating a new wave of advocacy and cross-sector collaboration so that public education has the resources, leadership, and public support it needs to continue to serve as the foundation for a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient Canada.

鈥淚t鈥檚 time for a new conversation about public education,鈥� says Kidder. 鈥淥ne that brings educators to the table alongside leaders in business, climate, and health, and includes the voices of young people. With that conversation, we can build a stronger, more equitable, and more resilient Canada.鈥�

What our partners are saying听

鈥淐anada鈥檚 future skills and innovation capacity are built in classrooms today. That鈥檚 why The Education Promise is such a vital initiative鈥攊t brings together partners from across sectors to ensure our public education system evolves to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. By working collaboratively, we can equip young people not only with the foundational skills they need, but also with the adaptability, creativity, and critical thinking that tomorrow鈥檚 jobs will demand.鈥�

Noel Baldwin, Executive Director of Future Skills Centre and member of The Education Promise Advisory Board

鈥淪chool boards across Canada are on the front lines of delivering the promise of public education every day. The Education Promise represents a crucial opportunity to elevate the vital role of public education in addressing the urgent challenges facing our country. This is important cross-sector work that recognizes public education not only as a right, but as a catalyst for equity, economic resilience, and democratic strength.鈥�

Alan Campbell, President, Canadian School Boards Association

“It has never been more urgent to enable this generation鈥檚 active citizenship through their right to education. Initiatives like The Education Promise are responding to this moment with broad cross-sectoral collaboration and knowledge exchange. This kind of large-scale effort will serve young people and strengthen Canada’s democracy.”

Sabreena Delhon, CEO, Samara Centre for Democracy and member of The Education Promise Advisory Board

鈥淚f we鈥檙e serious about building a productive, innovative, and adaptable workforce, then education must be at the core of our strategy. Public education is the pipeline through which the next generation of entrepreneurs, leaders, and skilled workers will emerge. It鈥檚 not just a social issue 鈥� it鈥檚 an economic imperative.鈥�

Ruhee Ismail-Teja, Vice-President Policy and External Affairs of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and member of The Education Promise Advisory Board

“Young people must be at the centre of education transformation. The Education Promise is a powerful platform that can bring youth voices into the conversation and will allow for important cross-sector and inter-generational dialogue to shape of a better future.”

Sharif Mahdy, Chief Executive Officer, Students Commission of Canada and member of The Education Promise Advisory Board

“The Education Promise is a transformative initiative that will have a direct positive impact on K-12 education systems in Canada. I look forward to representing ICTC while collaborating with leaders across sectors and jurisdictions Canada-wide to tackle key challenges, support educators and communities, and empower the next generation with the knowledge and skills needed to grow Canada’s digital economy. Through our ongoing work with students鈥攊ncluding digital literacy, career exploration, and future skills development鈥擨CTC remains committed to ensuring youth are prepared to thrive in Canada’s rapidly evolving digital economy.”

Lissa Matyas, Vice-President of Capacity Building and Innovation, Information and Communication Technology Council (ICTC)

“A strong, equitable public education system is foundational to Canada鈥檚 long-term economic resilience. At BHER, we know that aligning education with labour market needs starts early. That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e proud to support The Education Promise鈥攁n essential initiative connecting public education as a key upstream policy solution to ensuring we have the skills, partnerships, and opportunities that drive our future workforce.”

Matthew McKean, Chief R&D Office, BHER and member of The Education PromiseAdvisory Board

“Healthy children learn better, and learning supports health. The Education Promisehighlights the importance of working across policy areas to have integrated, upstream policy approaches to support young people to thrive and flourish.鈥�

Charlotte Moore Hepburn, Medical Director, Child Health Policy Accelerator at SickKids, Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto and member of The Education Promise Advisory Board

“Youth are already leading climate action and there are many opportunities for schools to continue to support them to be better equipped for our rapidly changing world. Youth deserve to be equipped with the skills, knowledge and opportunities that will help them shape their future. The Education Promise makes the critical link between education, sustainability, and intergenerational justice.”

Siobhan Takala, Programs Director, Youth Climate Lab and member of The Education Promise Advisory Board

鈥淭o build a strong and sustainable economy, we have to start with education. That means making sure young people have the skills and knowledge to succeed in sectors like mining, where innovation, sustainability, and problem-solving are essential. The Education Promise is a critical step toward connecting education with the realities of Canada鈥檚 future economy.鈥�

Priya Tandon, President, Ontario Mining Association and The Education PromiseAdvisory Board member

For more information, visit: peopleforeducation.ca/TheEducationPromise

Meet the Advisory Board

Media Contact:

Paris Semansky
Director of Systems Change, People for Education
[email protected]

416-476-9534