A FEW FACTS
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- Like it or not, Canada has a literacy problem. Statistics show that nearly half of all adults in Canada lack the literacy skills that are required to cope in a modern
society. By 2031 about 47% of adults will have low prose literacy skills (below IALSS Level 3) meaning that the face of low adult literacy in Canada will not change in the
years to come.1
- Close to one-third of Montreal students drop out of high school each year and 32% of Quebec adults have minimal literacy skills.
This means they can deal with simple printed material and plain language, but they have difficulty understanding more complex phrases and learning new skills.
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For adults, low literacy can affect their ability to get or maintain a job and undermines their opportunities for promotion.
People with low literacy face difficulties at work, at home, and in the community.
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There are about nine million Canadian adults aged 16 to 65 who are challenged by low literacy.
Most can read to some degree, and in many cases additional tutoring can improve their literacy skills to a level where they can engage more fully and confidently in regular
work and life activities.
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If we could increase adult literacy by just one percent, Statistics Canada estimates we would add $18.4 billion to our economy annually.2
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- Canadian Council on Learning
- Gedeon, Julie: As easy as ABC's - Concordia Magazine, Summer 2009
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Last updated January 3, 2012
