National Literacy Secretariat - NLS

The origins of the NLS lie in the Speech from the Throne in 1986 which committed the federal government to "work with the provinces, the private sector and voluntary organizations to develop measures to ensure that Canadians have access to the literacy skills that are prerequisite for participation in an advanced economy".

The National Literacy Secretariat was established by authorization of Cabinet in 1987 and has been actively involved since 1988 in working with its partners to promote literacy in Canada. 

About the National Literacy Secretariat (NLS)

Forty-two percent of Canadians aged 16-65 do not have the literacy skills required for full participation in the knowledge economy. The National Literacy Secretariat (NLS) works to promote literacy as an essential component of a learning society and to make Canada's social, economic and political life more accessible to people with weak literacy skills. It works in partnership with the provinces and territories, other government departments, business and labour, the voluntary sector and non-governmental organizations to build capacity for literacy opportunities across Canada.

The mission of the NLS is to ensure that Canadians have opportunities to develop and improve the ever-expanding literacy skills needed to function at work, at home and in the community, and to support the development and dissemination of information on literacy issues to increase awareness and understanding.

The objective of the NLS is :

• With our partners, we support activities to improve literacy skills in Canada.

Since 1988 the NLS has funded over 7,000 innovative projects in order to meet  this objective.

For additional information, please visit the following National Literacy Secretariat links below.

• What’s New in Literacy
• General Information
• Key Activities
• Partnerships
• Grants and Funding Program
• Surveys
• Research Activities
• Information Resources
• Publications
• Related Links
• Call for Proposals