Financial Literacy Task Force Undertakes Public Consultations Across Canada

Today, the Financial Literacy Task Force kicks off its pan-Canadian public consultations, starting simultaneously with sessions in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Yellowknife, NT -Where is. These consultations will be an opportunity to be heard by groups and individuals representing a broad cross-section of Canadian society, including the public and private sectors and the voluntary sector.

“We are very pleased to begin this crucial phase of consultation with the people of all regions, provinces and territories,” said Don Stewart, Chair of the Task Force. My colleagues and I look forward to hearing what Canadians have to say about how we can improve citizens’ financial literacy and skills so that they are better able to plan for the future. future, overcoming economic downturns and coping with the great events of life. Canada could become a world leader in financial literacy, but to do that, we need to mobilize the people. ”

The Vancouver and Yellowknife consultations are the first in a series of 17 public meetings in which members of the Financial Literacy Task Force will meet and engage with Canadians on financial literacy issues. Among the nine major themes to be addressed are debt management, savings and investment, retirement planning, and ways to protect against fraud.

“Canadians have responded in great numbers and we look forward to hearing their views on what needs to be done to enhance financial literacy in Canada”, said the Vice-Chair of the work, L. Jacques Ménard.

The public consultations will take place between April 6 and May 13, 2010, in conjunction with an online forum that the Task Force is holding on its website for comment. In addition, interested individuals will have until April 30, 2010, to submit written submissions in response to the Wise on Excellence consultation paper released by the Working Group on February 22, 2010.

Context
The 13-member Financial Literacy Task Force will make recommendations to the Minister of Finance on a national strategy to improve the financial literacy of Canadians. He will present his findings to the Minister of Finance in December 2010 and make his report available to the public.