The Education Promise – by working from the outside-in; by bringing together stakeholders with expertise across key issues from inside and outside education; by amplifying existing examples of what’s possible; and by supporting strategies for change that go beyond relying on local heroes – provides a pathway to real systemic change. 

We believe that change happens when the right people connect at the right time to make a difference. The Education Promise is both about building a process to develop policy recommendations and about building the connections across the country that will help to make change possible. 

We are translating complex education systems into clear, actionable knowledge to drive evidence-based policy change. In 2026, the work of The Education Promise will lay the groundwork:  

• Annual Canadian School Survey (ACSS): In partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University’s Centre for Leading Research in Education (CLRiE), we have launched a new national survey, in consultation with principals across Canada, to track key issues and inform policy recommendations.  

• Education 101s: Understanding the levers of change: To address a critical gap in policy knowledge and advocacy, we are developing 13 concise summaries of how key policy levers (governance, funding, curriculum, etc.) operate across every provincial and territorial public education system.  

• Policy briefs: We are developing four evidence-based policy briefs—one for each focus area—that connect public education to Canada’s most urgent challenges, identify barriers and enablers, and compile policy recommendations aimed at multiple decision-makers.  

To stay up to date on this work and receive it right to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter. 

Policy change requires consensus and collective action. We are actively building a diverse, cross-sector coalition to advocate for change. 

• Pan-Canadian engagement tour: From January to June 2026, we will be coming to a community near you! Our 11-city, 7-province tour will connect us with provincial governments, educators, school boards, and civil society organizations. Want to be part of these engagements? Let us know by connecting here.  

• The Promise of Public Education Event Series: We have launched an 8-event series that is free and open to the public. The Promise of Public Education; the role of public schools in nation-building series will reposition public education as a cornerstone of Canada’s long-term resilience and prosperity. The series will bring together leaders from education, business, policy, and civil society. Subscribe to our newsletter for first access to event details and tickets.  

• The Advisory Board: Our pan-Canadian, cross-sector Advisory Board provides strategic advice and acts as a sounding board, connecting the work of The Education Promise to leaders in health, labour, environment, and business. Meet the Advisory Board. 

There is currently no overarching, coherent set of policy recommendations aimed at the multiple levels of decision-makers responsible for education policy, including provinces and territories, faculties of education, school boards, and others. That’s why the work we’re doing to engage across sectors and across the country will result in the development of a pan-Canadian Education Action Plan. 

All of our upcoming research, policy development, engagement, and partnership is driving toward building and finalizing the Pan-Canadian Education Action Plan, which will serve as the foundation for a new, permanent wave of advocacy for public education. The Action Plan will be publicly released in Fall 2026.