In part, the public discourse of literacy since 1985 has been developed through an intensification of earlier advocacy and public awareness efforts by literacy and other education organizations, whose advocacy efforts have become more co-ordinated and more focused. This public discourse of literacy has also been developed in an intensified concern for the economics of literacy and illiteracy. Let us consider here first the traditional advocacy efforts, and then the new economic interests.

In English Canada, by the late 1980s a coalition of more than ten non-governmental organizations concerned about literacy was formed, under the leadership of the MCL. Within this coalition, now known as the Canadian Alliance for Literacy, members have co-operated on specific activities. Most notably, the coalition in 1987 prepared "The Cedar Glen Declaration,"³⁴ proposing plans for the development of literacy work. This document was revised to form the basis of a "Call to Action on Literacy," printed in Maclean's and The Globe and Mail. It significantly influenced early thinking within the federal Department of the Secretary of State. In English Canada, Frontier College has been particularly effective in involving business, through the Canadian Business Task Force on Literacy, and in attracting celebrities to literacy advocacy.

Among francophones, a parallel process of organization and advocacy has occurred, involving notably the research and writing of a report on literacy among francophones across Canada, through l'Institut canadien d'éducation des adults;³⁵ a large conference, "Alphabétisation en français," held in 1989 by the Association canadien d'éducation de langue française; and the establishment of La fédération canadienne pour l'alphabétisation en français, an offshoot of the Fédratdration des francophones hors Québec.

Every province and territority has one or more literacy, adult basic education, or adult education organizations that promote the literacy issue and build networks among practitioners. In recent years, with federal funding, existing organizations have been strengthened and new coalitions created. Many local organizations also promote literacy, including community centres, libraries, women's centres, native organizations, organizations for people with disabilities, organizations for ex-convicts, and educational institutions.