Education
In Canada, parents have the primary responsibility for educating their children. To assist them, provincial and territorial governments administer and regulate educational systems. There is no federal department of education and no national system of education. Instead, each province and territory has its own system of education. The educational systems are generally similar across Canada with some variations between provinces and territories.
Canada does not have a federal department or national system of education.
Elementary and secondary education
When children start and finish school, how to enroll them in school, and education for adults.
Post-secondary education
The types of post-secondary schools available, how to choose a program, and where to get your education credentials recognized if you already studied outside Canada.
School life in Canada
Schooling in Canada may be different than you expect.
Visit the website of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada for an overview of the education system in Canada.
Contact information for provincial and territorial government ministries responsible for education
Alberta
- Elementary and Secondary Education (schools): Alberta Education
- Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.): Alberta Innovation and Advanced Education
British Columbia
- Elementary and Secondary Education (schools): British Columbia-Ministry of Education
- Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.): British Columbia-Ministry of Advanced Education
Manitoba
- Elementary and Secondary Education (schools): Manitoba-Ministry of Education and Advanced Learning
- Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.): Manitoba-Advanced Education
New Brunswick
- Elementary and Secondary Education (schools): New Brunswick-Ministry of Education and Early Childhood Development
- Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.): New Brunswick-Ministry of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Elementary and Secondary Education (schools): Newfoundland and Labrador-Department of Education
- Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.): Newfoundland and Labrador-Department of Advanced Education and Skills
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Nunavut
Ontario
- Elementary and Secondary Education (schools): Ontario-Ministry of Education
- Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.): Ontario-Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Prince Edward Island
- Elementary and Secondary Education (schools): Prince Edward Island-Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
- Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.): Prince Edward Island-Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning
Quebec
Saskatchewan
- Elementary and Secondary Education (schools): Saskatchewan-Ministry of Education
- Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.): Saskatchewan-Ministry of Advanced Education
Yukon