NEWS RELEASE

NATIONAL LITERACY ALLIANCE

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For International Literacy Day om Sept. 8 more than 65 organizations from the literacy and learning sector, supporting hundreds of thousands of Canadians, are coming together with one clear message: Canada urgently needs a National Literacy Strategy.

In recent years, we have seen how literacy gaps are growing in the face of rising digital demands, economic change, and inequitable access to learning opportunities. Today, one in five adults in Canada struggles with basic reading tasks (PIAAC). These gaps impact everything, from employment and health to civic engagement and digital safety.

To respond to this growing challenge, over 80 national, provincial, and community organizations have formed the National Literacy Alliance. This unprecedented collaboration has resulted in the attached document: The Case for a National Literacy Strategy, which provides a practical, unified framework to guide federal, provincial, and territorial governments in developing a strategy that improves literacy for people of all ages and in all regions. 

Key facts:


Endorsed by 65+ organizations across all 3 territories, 9 provinces, and First Nations and Inuit organizations
Aligned with the federal government’s commitment to inclusive economic growth
Urges expanded support for foundational, digital, and workplace literacy across the life span

We believe this is a critical step toward building a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous Canada, one where no one is left behind due to low literacy.

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