The family literacy movement in Canada developed in close parallel to the American movement. Thomas (1998) provides a historical background. Inner-city parenting centres established by The Toronto School Board were among the first documented programs offered in Canada in the early 1980s, followed by J´apprends avec mon enfant in Montreal in 1983 and Bookmates in Winnipeg in 1984. In 1987, Cabinet authorized the creation of the National Literacy Secretariat (NLS) to undertake partnerships with governments, agencies and organizations to promote literacy (Barker, 1999). Family literacy was selected as an early NLS priority (MacNutt, 2001). In 1988, the Family Literacy Interest Group (FLIG) was founded in Ontario, followed by the formation of the Family Literacy Action Group (FLAG) in Alberta in 1993 (National Adult Literacy Database, 1997). The following year, was a big one for family literacy in Canada with a national conference held in Ottawa, Ontario in English and a symposium in Alymer, Quebec in French (Thomas, Skage & Jackson,1998)

Partnerships and strategies continue to be developed with NLS such as The Family Literacy Dissemination Project, which includes a directory of Canadian initiatives (Thomas et al, 1998) and case studies on specific programs (Thomas, 1998). The aim is to promote dialogue and discussion on current practice and future directions. The seven types of programs identified by Thomas et al (1998) include: intergenerational projects; focus on parent or primary caregiver; parental involvement; family literacy activity for the general public; projects for family literacy resources; family literacy professional training and resources; and resources for the general public. By 1997, all provinces and territories had family literacy programs operating in diverse locations such as libraries, churches, schools, health units and community centres (Thomas, 1998).

According to Thomas (2001), Canadian family literacy programs have been typically short-term interventions of low intensity. She points out that policy discussions have identified an optimal model of coordinated social services to ensure more intensive opportunities for families. However, for fully integrated programs with literacy at the centre, there is a need to coordinate provincial and federal services. Support for family literacy programs has come from special interest groups and family literacy organizations. Canada Post and ABC CANADA have also undertaken provincial and national projects to increase public awareness of literacy in the family. Moreover, various conferences in the past decade have provided a forum for discussion and dissemination of work on family literacy (Thomas, 1998).