Calgary leads in learning ... again

Canada's Composite Learning Index average score fell for the first time this year, but Calgary continues to top the list measuring lifelong learning.

Ranking more than 4,700 towns and cities across the country, the CLI measures 17 indicators of lifelong learning and draws a link between learning conditions and social and economic well-being.

This year's national average fell by two points compared to 2008 -- from 77 to 75 -- but Calgary's score of 89 remained highest in the country.

One reason for that is the abundance of opportunity, says Dr. Scott McLean, director of continuing education at the University of Calgary.

"To me it's pretty simple, Calgary has a very strong and robust economy," he said.

"We attract a lot of well-educated professionals from other parts of the country, so those people bring with them all of their education and people who have a lot of education like to learn more."

Victoria ranked second in the nation with a score of 88, followed by Saskatoon at 86, Guelph, Ont., at 85 and Barrie, Ont., Ottawa and Regina at 84.

"Ottawa and Victoria are government towns, but they are also towns that attract really well-educated professionals," said McLean.

"Saskatoon is more like Calgary, a private enterprise city that attracts a lot of people."

Having top-notch high schools along with several post-secondary institutions doesn't hurt either, said McLean.

"In terms of life-long learning, you've got not only the university, you've got SAIT, you've got Mount Royal, you've got Bow Valley," he said. "The index is also things like participating in community clubs and sporting activities and that really does go back to the fact we have such a strong economy and such a young and prosperous population."