The extent and distribution of self-reported learning activities in the current Canadian adult population was estimated on the basis of data collected during a 1998 telephone survey of a sample of 1,562 Canadian adults. Random digital dialing was used to give all provinces, households, and individuals within households an equal chance of selection. The response rate was 64% of all eligible households. The interviews averaged 32 minutes, and the data were weighted by known population characteristics of age, sex, and educational attainment to ensure profiles representative for Canada as a whole. More than 95% of those interviewed were involved in some form of explicit informal learning activities that they considered significant. On average, respondents devoted approximately 15 hours per week to informal learning (versus the Canadian average of approximately 4 hours per week to organized education courses). The most commonly cited areas of informal learning activities were as follows: computer skills related to employment; communications skills through voluntary community volunteer work; home renovations and cooking skills in household work; and general interest learning about health issues. It was recommended that those shaping Canada's educational, economic, and other social policies give more explicit consideration to Canadian adults' mostly informal learning practices. (Contains 29 references) (MN)