National Adult Literacy Database

"Mental health does not carry the stigma that it once did, but our research shows that that there is definite evidence of stigma in the workplace," says Paula Allen, VP Health Solutions & Practice Leader, Consulting, Morneau Shepell. "There are several important drivers for organizations to address this issue strategically, and with practical and meaningful steps. We are urging employers to get involved in the discussion regarding how."

The report examines the number of NALD Library documents, in both English and French, which are viewed and downloaded by visitors to the websites NALD and BDAA.

The first major fund-raising campaign by Canada's leading communications foundation has surpassed its goal. The Communications + Public Relations Foundation will use proceeds to conduct original research to establish the profile of today's public relations practitioners and determine the skills and aptitude that Canadian employers will be expecting from public relations professionals in the future.

The Government of Canada has officially launched Canada Summer Jobs 2012, creating thousands of job opportunities for students.

Statistics Canada will use 2011 census results to shine a spotlight on gradual but profound shifts in this aging country – one where the elderly will soon outweigh children as a share of the population and there will be difficulty finding sufficient younger workers to replace those ready to retire.

With an unemployment rate in northern B.C. sitting at 11.5 per cent and layoffs looming at northern colleges, the B.C. government's vaunted BC Jobs Plan is failing northern communities, unions representing post-secondary workers say.

Not all francophone minority communities carry the same weight or have the same institutional support. “On the Acadian peninsula of New Brunswick and in certain regions of Ontario, people can easily obtain services in French. They have institutional support whereas in British Columbia it takes people a long time to obtain services in French. It is important to make that distinction,” says Yvon Laberge, a member of the NALD Board of Directors.

Nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of chief financial officers (CFOs) interviewed for a new survey from Accountemps said an employee's sense of humour is important for fitting into the company's corporate culture.

According to a recent national survey reporting on nearly 10,000 Canadian classes, one in every six students has an identified learning exceptionality. In addition, more than one in 10 students in these classes have challenges understanding the school's language of instruction. The survey, conducted by the Canadian Teachers' Federation drew responses from nearly 3,800 teachers, the largest number obtained in a CTF online survey to date.

Ramona Jennex, chair of CMEC and Nova Scotia’s minister of education, says learning opportunities don’t begin and end with the formal school day. "Parents and caregivers are ‘teachers of the world’ for children and serve as guides on the learning journey, whether the trip is to the neighbourhood park, the city next door, or a country halfway around the world.”

"We are committed to increasing the participation of women in science, engineering, trades and technology. To accomplish this, we have to work in partnership with industry, educational institutions, community organizations and unions to provide opportunities for women in non-traditional careers. This is yet another example of jobsHere, our plan to create good jobs and grow the economy, in action." - Marilyn More, Nova Scotia Minister of Labour and Advanced Education

"As New Brunswickers, we have a responsibility to value reading and acknowledge its importance in every child's development," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Jody Carr. "The Department ... is taking steps to do things more efficiently, free up resources and focus efforts where they will have the most impact – with our children."

Frontier College advises reading with your children at least 15 minutes a day and making praise a part of the activity. In addition, let the child decide what you will read.

Freedom to Read Week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom, which is guaranteed them under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

What are provinces doing to boost workplace essential skill levels? The HR Council for the Non-Profit Sector outlines what's happening strategy-wise in Nova Scotia and British Columbia.