National Adult Literacy Database

Building a Foundation for Self-Sufficiency

Authors: Premier's Community Non-Profit Task Force

Collection: Research Materials

The purpose of the Premier’s Community Non-Profit Task Force is to recommend to the Government how it can develop a partnership with the non-profit sector that will strengthen the ability of the sector to function effectively as the third pillar of socio-economic development.

The task force report offers detailed recommendations based on presentations from some 1000 non-profit organizations of all sizes and structures. It is anticipated that the Premier and his Government will use the report as the BLUEPRINT FOR ACTION.

Added: 2007-12-20

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See also:

• Un plan d'action

Building a brighter financial future

Authors: Task Force on Financial Literacy

Collection: Research Materials

This is the final report of the Task Force on Financial Literacy, established in 2009 by the Government of Canada to consult with individuals and organizations across the country on how best to address the gaps in Canadians’ financial knowledge. By the time the consultation period ended, the task force had received more than 300 written submissions, heard from 175 presenters in 14 communities, and attracted 125 contributors to its online forum.

In this document, the authors put forward a proposed national strategy on financial literacy and also provide a set of recommendations on how to achieve it.

The authors note that five priorities form the foundation of the strategy: responsibility for the outcome of the strategy must be shared among all stakeholders; coordination of the various initiatives will require strong leadership; financial literacy requires lifelong learning; resources and innovative approaches will be needed to raise Canadians’ awareness of the importance of adopting good financial behaviours; and accountability will be key to the success of the strategy.

The authors state that financial literacy is an essential life skill for all Canadians and is acquired through lifelong learning. They emphasize the role that the school system can play and recommend that all provincial and territorial governments provide financial literacy professional development opportunities for teachers, with the federal government supporting these efforts by making resources available and accessible for teachers.

Added: 2011-02-25

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See also:

• Les Canadiens et leur argent

Presentation to the Task Force on Financial Literacy, May 10, 2010

Authors: Paul Cappon

Collection: Research Materials

In this presentation to the Government of Canada’s Task Force on Financial Literacy, the president and CEO of the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL) outlines the role the CCL could play in enhancing Canadian’s financial skills.

Dr. Paul Cappon points out that CCL identified financial literacy as one of a set of “new” literacies required to function effectively in today’s world. Others include digital, computer and information literacy.

Specifically, he says the CCL could contribute to evaluating national progress on financial literacy by providing a synthesis of available research; monitoring trends and identifying gaps in information and data; identifying who is most vulnerable, and providing new insights into why they are at risk; and providing recommendations for the development of targeted strategies to strengthen the financial literacy skills and capabilities of Canadians.

The task force was established in 2009 and published its final report in February 2011. The report can be found at http://library.nald.ca/item/9167.

Added: 2012-04-12

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See also:

• La nature changeante de la littératie : l'impératif en matière de littératie financière

Authors: Social and Enterprise Development Innovations (SEDI)

Collection: Research Materials

This document outlines a submission to the Government of Canada’s Task Force on Financial Literacy made by Social and Enterprise Development Innovations (SEDI), a charitable organization that works with community groups nationwide to help low-income people become self-sufficient through financial literacy; savings and asset building; and entrepreneurship.

SEDI’s recommendations include recognizing that local community groups have the skills to provide financial literacy resources to vulnerable populations; fostering partnerships between government and the voluntary sector to identify at-risk adult target groups; and developing marketing strategies to bring the message about financial literacy to low-income Canadians.

The task force was established in 2009 and published its final report in February 2011. The report can be found at http://library.nald.ca/item/9167.

Added: 2011-06-21

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Authors: ABC Life Literacy Canada

Collection: Research Materials

The Task Force on Financial Literacy was established in 2009 by the Government of Canada to consult with individuals and organizations across the country on how best to address the gaps in Canadians’ financial knowledge.

In this presentation to the task force, the authors begin by noting that a lack of financial literacy strikes hard at those already made vulnerable by poverty and unemployment.

At the same time, they say, many Canadians who are employed still lack the literacy skills that would help them improve their financial literacy. Therefore, they recommend that the workplace be recognized as a good venue to help Canadians improve their literacy and Essential Skills.

The authors also note that financial documents, including credit card agreements, are increasingly complicated and difficult to understand. They urge the task force to ensure that financial institutions use clear language in their documents.

The authors urge the task force to recognize the role that local, nongovernmental literacy agencies can play in improving Canadians’ financial literacy.

Added: 2012-07-13

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