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This paper present some of the main elements of a pan-Canadian strategy to mobilise the learning resources of the nation, and especially those of the public education sector, as Canada prepares for the rapidly emerging knowledge-based economy and society of the 21st century. It recommends using the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values, i.e. the learning, acquired by people in every community as the building blocks of a conceptual and policy framework, adapted from the OECD, that encompasses provincial/territorial and federal jurisdictions. It advocates a global rather than a local outlook in terms of practice. The paper is based upon internationally accepted principles, policies and agreements about the right to education and to learn within a lifelong learning system. Recent theory and research from the natural and social sciences that provides a sound evidence base for a strong public lifelong education component within a wider lifelong learning system is examined. The paper focuses on a growing global movement to create learning communities founded on an OECD model informed by lifelong learning as an organising principle and social goal. A 'Made-in-Canada' approach is proposed that will link the public education system to the nonformal learning resources that exist within every community’s civic, public, economic, and voluntary sectors. The approach involves the practical and innovative use of learning technologies as a tool to achieve four interrelated purposes of Canadian learning community networks: Community economic development; Environmental stewardship; Human development, including healthy communities; and Social/cultural development, including social inclusion and civic engagement.