TORONTO, June 9, 2015 /CNW/ - Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) welcomes the National Strategy for Financial Literacy unveiled today by Minister of State (Finance), Kevin Sorenson and Jane Rooney, the country's financial literacy leader.
"The strategy establishes a financial literacy playbook for the country," says Cairine Wilson, vice-president, corporate citizenship, with CPA Canada. Wilson is a member of the National Steering Committee that contributed to the creation of the strategy and will champion its implementation.
The plan, to help Canadians gain the knowledge and skills required to become better money managers, is titled: National Strategy for Financial Literacy – Count me in, Canada.
"Count Canada's professional accountants in," stresses Wilson. "We are already playing an active role in helping Canadians make more informed financial decisions and that will continue. The profession is committed to providing ongoing assistance."
For example, there are more than 11,000 professional accountants registered, trained and prepared to conduct free financial seminars in communities across the country and the number is growing.
Wilson adds that CPA Canada's research clearly shows that numerous Canadians need this type of assistance. Recent surveys conducted for the organization have found that many Canadian households are not saving or paying off debt and that more parents could be taking advantage of the Registered Education Savings Plan.
The national strategy calls for the mobilization and engagement of the public, private and non-profit sectors to strengthen the financial literacy of Canadians. It will evolve over time and progress will be evaluated.
"This truly is a playbook because it brings all the players together by identifying priorities and sets out timely, targeted deliverables," explains Wilson. "There are many moving parts but a shared game plan."
The strategy also will help spark important dialogue, especially when it comes to identifying what is working.
"Achieving meaningful change is going to require national discussions that engage Canadians and leading stakeholders," says Wilson. "Collaboration and the sharing of ideas and solutions are key aspects of the national strategy and we are committed to contributing to that dialogue."
For more information on the National Strategy for Financial literacy, visit: fcac.gc.ca/CountMeInCA
To learn more about CPA Canada's Financial Literacy program, visit: cpacanada.ca/financialliteracy
About CPA Canada
Canada's accounting profession is uniting under a new single designation, Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). The profession's national body, Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada), represents and supports more than 190,000 members across the country. CPAs are valued for their financial and tax expertise, strategic thinking, business insight, management skills and leadership. CPA Canada has consolidated the operations of three national accounting bodies: The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada and The Society of Management Accountants of Canada. CPA Canada conducts research into current and emerging business issues and supports the setting of accounting, auditing and assurance standards for business, not-for-profit organizations and government. It also issues guidance on control and governance, publishes professional literature and develops certification and continuing education programs.
SOURCE CPA Canada
Tobin Lambie, Principal, Media, CPA Canada, T: 416-204-3228, C: 647-302-3761, [email protected], www.cpacanada.ca; Diana Sorace, Manager, Media Relations, CPA Canada, T: 604-694-6700, C: 604-551-4487, [email protected], www.cpacanada.ca
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