Reading the Future, the Canadian report on the findings of the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS), provides a portrait of Canadian literacy that adds greatly to the understanding of the benefits and consequences of literacy in our society. The report shows that complex social and economic forces influence literacy. The IALS data indicate that individual choice and supportive actions by employers and governments can shape some of these forces.

The concept of "literacy" has evolved. Literacy now means more than the basic ability to read and write. Literacy skill levels now also reflect a person's ability to understand and use information, a key function in a world where daily living requires higher communication and information processing skills. This report details results on three scales (prose, document and qualitative literacy) along a continuum of skills from 1 (lowest) to 4/5 (highest).

Simply stated, literacy is important. Society rewards individuals who are proficient and penalizes those who are not, whether expressed in terms of employment opportunities and job success or active social, cultural and citizenship participation in society. Literacy is also important to nations, as these skills are building blocks. They enable the creation of a labour force capable of competing in a changing world—a key step to economic growth and improvement of the human condition. They are also the cornerstones of democracy and of the exchange of knowledge and information.

What follows are some principal findings of the Canadian Report of the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS).

The fundamental story of literacy in Canada remains the same as it was five years ago: significant numbers of adult Canadians have low-level literacy skills that constrain their participation in society and in the economy.