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PLAIN LANGUAGE
NATIONAL LITERACY SECRETARIAT, HRDC:
The NLS was
formed in 1988 as a federal response to a national issue. The NLS works to
ensure Canadians have opportunities to develop ever-expanding literacy and
numeracy skills needed to meet the demands of everyday life. We work in
partnership with the provinces and territories, business and labour, literacy
organizations, voluntary organizations, and other government departments to
develop literacy activities in Canada. At the federal level the NLS provides
expertise, policy and research support.
FOCUS: I will focus my presentation on NLS's involvement
with Plain Language. Federal and provincial government colleagues, the Canadian
Labour Congress, and other Canadians, far more knowledgeable than I, have
already provided a lot of information about other PL activities in
Canada. NEED: Plain Language is of critical importance because of 3
factors in Canada:
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1) |
IALS tells us that 38 % of Canadians
face literacy challenges that limits their ability to deal with complex
tasks. |
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2) |
Canada has the highest immigration
levels of OECD countries resulting in a substantial percentage of the
population not having English or French as their first language.(260k-2001-02,
aiming to 300k-1% in next year) |
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3) |
Canada's population is aging rapidly and
IALS tells us that the current over 65 population has significantly lower
literacy levels than the under 65 population. |
NLS
INVOLVEMENT WITH PLAIN LANGUAGE
PROMOTION & AWARENESS:
In 1989, NLS was looking for
a federal government initiative for ILY (1990) that could improve access for
low literacy Canadians. The NLS was inspired by the UK's major work in plain
language. The US was also doing some work. A plain language initiative seemed
like a good idea, especially since a number of federal departments had asked
the NLS for advice and direction on how better to serve clients. An
interdepartmental working group was established, including 14 departments and
agencies to raise awareness and provide training on plain language.
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