TASK FORCE CHAIR'S BLOG: April 9, 2010

The Task Force public hearings completed the week in Winnipeg, where we were given a broad collection of insights from 16 community groups and individuals. This built on the terrific range of input received during the five hearings this week.

My colleagues and I split up this week in our travels. Here in Winnipeg, six of us met again and were treated to important perspectives and recommendations from business, labour, the non-profit sector, academia and students.

One such perspective came from Duane Nicol, of the Assiniboine Credit Union. Duane recommended that helping to increase the financial literacy education of “marginalized people” would be an important element in poverty reduction, and that such education “must be practical, relevant, and just-in-time.”

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) of Brandon described a game called “Buyer Beware” played with youngsters aged 10 to 14, who learn valuable budgeting skills as they prioritize between needs and wants, and navigate “Temptation Island,” where candy is sold.

The University of Manitoba’s Dr. Karen Duncan shared details of curriculum on family financial health, and bluntly portrayed money issues as “a fundamental cause of family breakdown.”

Many thanks to all of the presenters – and those who continue to submit their views at www.financialliteracyincanada.com - for investing so much time and thought into buttressing the Task Force’s work.

I look forward to building on this great start when we head to Atlantic Canada during the week of April 19. Our online chronicles will continue then.

Don Stewart
Chair of the Task Force on Financial Literacy