National Adult Literacy Database

Ontario is making it easier for post-secondary education graduates to get their start in life by extending the grace period for repaying student loans for those who take their first job post-graduation in the not-for-profit sector.

Over the past 18 months, the Canadian Literacy and Learning Network (CLLN) has been engaged in a series of research projects exploring the links between literacy and earnings, resulting in the complex Literacy and Earnings Project.

Some of the fastest growing jobs in the coming decade have yet to be identified. In fact, the term “new job” itself is changing. It can refer to a job that did not previously exist, or a job that carries the same name but requires such different skills as to render it changed. In either case, the need for skilled employees to fill these positions is increasing.

“Ministers of education are pleased to add their voice to the global call for greater literacy for all peoples,” said Ramona Jennex, Chair of CMEC and Minister of Education for Nova Scotia. “We recognize that literacy is one of the pillars of an open and democratic, economically strong, and socially inclusive society.”

Every year, 250,000 Grade 9 students across the country participate in The Learning Partnership's Take Our Kids to Work™ day. This nation-wide event provides students with the opportunity to spend the day at the workplace of a parent, relative or family friend, learning basic business and life skills. More than 75,000 employers participate annually.

The tireless work of Senator Joyce Fairbairn "changed the perception of the importance of literacy as a federal issue, bringing new resources and new status as a national concern. It’s hard to remember that at that time it was a novel idea that the federal government might have a larger role to play in supporting Canadians to meet their literacy skills needs." -- Margaret Eaton, President of ABC Life Literacy Canada