Canadians and Their Money

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National Strategy on Financial LiteracyI. Shared ResponsibilityWe believe that financial literacy is a matter of shared responsibility among manystakeholders, and have made it a key aspect of the National Strategy. Any campaignto improve financial literacy must recognize the involvement and contribution ofthese stakeholders, who have a powerful and legitimate role to play. In this section,we briefly describe the various players; then, through remaining sections, werecommend concrete ways in which they can work to build financial literacy fora more prosperous Canada.Financial Literacy StakeholdersIndividuals and FamiliesIndividuals and families – the intended audience of financial literacy programs – havean important role to play in the National Strategy. Canadians are faced with financialdecisions every day, some of which can have lasting consequences for the rest oftheir lives. We believe that Canadians should therefore strive to be knowledgeableabout the financial products and services they use, especially before making keydecisions such as getting a credit card, taking on a mortgage, obtaining insurance“Governments can help create the right and making investments. Parents have a role to play infinancial environment through appropriate fostering a home environment in which the whole family canpolicies and regulations, but the burden ofdiscuss and learn about money. Throughout this report wemaking financial decisions ultimately restswith individuals.”discuss ways in which Canadians can elevate their proficiency– TD Bank Financial Group in personal finance and adopt better consumer habits.While individuals and families must have basic knowledge and awareness to be ableto exercise their rights and understand their responsibilities with regard to financialproducts, it is up to governments and the private sector to foster conditions conduciveto financial literacy and consumer empowerment. This is vital to the ability of Canadiansto steer through not only the financial services sector, but also through our tax systemand social programs in order to enjoy the benefits to which they are entitled.20TASK FORCE ON FINANCIAL LITERACY – I. Shared Responsibility
GovernmentsGovernments are uniquely placed to advance theinterests of financial literacy in their capacity as majoremployers, through financial regulation and publicpolicy development, and through their socialprograms, which touch many Canadians every day.“Advancing financial literacy requires significantgovernment involvement to facilitate partnerships,develop consistent standards of practice andmeasurement as well as provide adequateinvestment of resources.”– MomentumThe federal, provincial and territorial governments share jurisdiction over theregulation of the financial services sector. Government regulators work diligentlyto protect and educate Canadian consumers about financial products; for example,provincial securities commissions and the Canadian Securities Administratorsprovide a number of investor education initiatives, and the federal FinancialConsumer Agency of Canada operates an extensive consumer education program.Regulators have a responsibility to stay abreast of the rapidly evolving field offinancial services, to be vigilant in supervising financial institutions and to beproactive in disseminating consumer education materials and messages.The formal education system in Canada is the responsibility of the provincial andterritorial governments. Respective ministries of education manage the organization,delivery and assessment of education at the elementary and secondary levels, aswell as technical and vocational training and post-secondary education. Throughformal education, provincial and territorial governments help to ensure that youngpeople are taught the skills they will need throughout their lives, including reading,writing, basic mathematics and computer skills.All levels of government also play a very direct role in the economic lives ofCanadians by providing pensions, credit, payments and other benefits. TheGovernment of Canada is a major provider of social support programs. Webelieve there are ample opportunities to deliver financial literacy effectivelythrough government programs and services that reach Canadians – rangingfrom the Canada Student Loans Program to the Urban Aboriginal Strategy toorientation initiatives for newcomers to Canada.TASK FORCE ON FINANCIAL LITERACY – I. Shared Responsibility 21
Page 1 and 2: Report of Recommendations on Financ
Page 3 and 4: Table of ContentsAcknowledgements..
Page 5 and 6: AcknowledgementsContributions of ma
Page 7 and 8: www.financialliteracyincanada.comTh
Page 9 and 10: touches all residents, our recommen
Page 11 and 12: 3. Lifelong LearningWe believe that
Page 13 and 14: ensure, at the highest level, accou
Page 15 and 16: • Navigate the ever-changing fina
Page 17 and 18: Figure 1: National Average Scores,
Page 19 and 20: Figure 3: Ratio of Household Debt t
Page 21 and 22: Figure 4: Key Results from the 2003
Page 23: Figure 6: National Strategy on Fina
Page 27 and 28: play a crucial role in providing fi
Page 29 and 30: Figure 7: Shared Responsibility - M
Page 31 and 32: term. Further, the mandate should n
Page 33 and 34: • Enable stakeholders to be activ
Page 35 and 36: Figure 9: Life EventsReceivingunexp
Page 37 and 38: Figure 10: Essential Skills - Money
Page 39 and 40: We commend those authorities who ar
Page 41 and 42: Governments may consider leveraging
Page 43 and 44: considering the purchase of a finan
Page 45 and 46: “lunch and learn” seminars and
Page 47 and 48: The Role of Professional AdviceThe
Page 49 and 50: In some cases, programs reach many
Page 51 and 52: Student Loans Directorate at the De
Page 53 and 54: The UAS is also “designed to incr
Page 55 and 56: Throughout the public consultation
Page 57 and 58: since 1982. His report, entitled
Page 59 and 60: Take-up of Government BenefitsEarli
Page 61 and 62: Programs for SavingIn our deliberat
Page 63 and 64: programs. We encourage, as a supple
Page 65 and 66: When it comes to online learning, h
Page 67 and 68: Public Awareness CampaignCreative a
Page 69 and 70: Fraud Prevention and EducationWe pr
Page 71 and 72: Self-Assessment ToolStudies and sur
Page 73 and 74: contests could also be used to fost
Page 75 and 76:
ear a responsibility to communicate
Page 77 and 78:
The federal, provincial and territo
Page 79 and 80:
4.5.Planning ahead (thinking about
Page 81 and 82:
students have acquired some of the
Page 83 and 84:
and offer funding and professional
Page 85 and 86:
To that end, the Government should
Page 87 and 88:
Important research gaps remain, how
Page 89 and 90:
Conclusion: The Way ForwardSuccess
Page 91 and 92:
AppendicesAppendix A: Summary of Re
Page 93 and 94:
19. The Task Force recommends that
Page 95 and 96:
Appendix B: Members of the Task For
Page 97 and 98:
2520151050Most Canadians are making
Page 99 and 100:
2520151050Few Canadians keep themse
Page 101 and 102:
Appendix E: Selected BibliographyTh
Page 103 and 104:
Ipsos Reid. (2009). CSA Investor In
Page 105 and 106:
Standing Senate Committee on Bankin
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