#FLM2015: Financial Literacy Leader kicks off 5th anniversary of Financial Literacy Month

November is Financial Literacy Month in Canada; an opportunity for all Canadians and organizations to either host or take part in an activity to increase Canadians' financial knowledge. #CountMeInCA

TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2015 /CNW/ - Canada's Financial Literacy Leader Jane Rooney today kicked off the 5^th anniversary of Financial Literacy Month (FLM) by speaking to over 300 attendees at the ABLE Financial Empowerment Conference in Toronto. She also seized the opportunity to introduce two enhancements to the Canadian Financial Literacy Database, a one-stop source for Canadian resources and events.

The first new feature will list sources of funding available to support financial literacy initiatives, while the other will allow organizations to post volunteer opportunities. These two additions will make the database more useful to community groups and non-profit organizations looking for funding programs and volunteers so they can continue to have a positive impact in helping Canadians better manage their finances.

This year's FLM will focus on three areas: empower Canadians to manage their money and debt wisely, plan and save for their future, and prevent and protect against fraud and financial abuse. It will also provide Canadians and organizations alike an opportunity to share information and tools on, for instance, how to budget, choose a credit card, buy a house, plan for retirement or recognize common scams.

Quick Facts

• 2015 marks the 5^th anniversary of November as Financial Literacy Month in Canada as proclaimed by the Canadian Parliament. The first month in 2011 was the result of work between the Financial Literacy Action Group and the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC). It brought together 75 organizations to hold 200 events across the country to strengthen Canadians' financial literacy.
• FLM 2014 featured 1,266 workshops, seminars and other events. Events were held every day of November, in every province and territory in Canada. FCAC participated in 44 FLM-related activities, hosted the National Conference on Financial Literacy, and launched the Canadian Financial Literacy Database and the Self-assessment quiz.
• The Canadian Financial Literacy Database is a one-stop source for information that ranges from how to open a bank account, access government benefits, budget and save, to how to protect yourself from fraud. It also offers organizations a platform to promote their tools and resources.
• The database includes more than 1,000 resources from more than 115 organizations. It also provides Canadians with a list of the financial education activities and events taking place in November across the country.
• Organizations are encouraged to submit their financial literacy activities and events slated for November 2015 in the database via the input tool.
• Everyone is encouraged to take part in the FLM daily challenge on Twitter and Facebook.

Quote

"The ABLE Financial Empowerment Conference is a perfect venue to launch this year's Financial Literacy Month. Throughout all of November, the spotlight is on the importance of financial literacy to the lives of each and every Canadian. And it's an opportunity to highlight all the great services and resources offered in communities across the country; many of which are represented here today."

Jane Rooney, Financial Literacy Leader

Associated Links

• Financial Literacy Month
• #FLM2015 Promotional Material
• #FLM2015 Social Media Guide
• Canadian Financial Literacy Database
• Submit your activity or event to the database
• Financial Literacy self-assessment quiz
• Financial Literacy Leader

Visit ItPaysToKnow.gc.ca/flm
Like www.facebook.com/FCACan on Facebook
Follow @FCACan on Twitter
Join the conversation via #FLM2015 and #CountMeInCA

SOURCE Financial Consumer Agency of Canada

Video with caption: "Don't let your finances surprise you!". Video available at: https://youtu.be/UcfdK2047sM

Image with caption: "November is Financial Literacy Month! Can we count YOU in? (CNW Group/Financial Consumer Agency of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151102_C9154_PHOTO_EN_44375.jpg

Media Relations, Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, 613-941-4168, [email protected]