OTTAWA, September 8, 2025 – On the occasion of International Literacy Day, Canada’s Premiers today announced the recipients of the 21st annual Council of the Federation Literacy Award. Presented in each province and territory, the Award celebrates exceptional achievement, innovative practice, and excellence in literacy.
The recipients of the 2025 Council of the Federation Literacy Award are:
Hinton Adult Learning Society — Alberta
Friends of Simon — British Columbia
Mary Kuglugiak — Manitoba
Stella’s Circle Education Programs — Newfoundland and Labrador
Marie Doiron — New Brunswick
Ginny Hooper — New Brunswick
NWT Disabilities Council — Northwest Territories
Mary Smith — Nova Scotia
Ashley Tulugak — Nunavut
Nancy Dewar — Ontario
Bernadette Schellen-Graham — Prince Edward Island
Saintalia Andre — Québec
Southwest Literacy Committee — Saskatchewan
Sara McPhee-Knowles — Yukon
“As Chair of the Council of the Federation and on behalf of Canada’s Premiers, I would like to extend my enthusiastic congratulations to the well deserving recipients of the 2025 Council of the Federation Literacy Award for their contributions in advancing literacy,” said Rob Lantz, Premier of Prince Edward Island and Chair of the Council of the Federation. “I would like to acknowledge the hard work and effort of this year’s recipients in giving access to literacy education, and in pursuing and succeeding in their own literacy learning.”
Premiers recognize the importance of literacy in enabling individuals to participate as full and active citizens in all areas of society. Created in 2004, the Award celebrates adult learners who undertake literacy training, as well as the valuable contributions made by Canadians in the field of literacy, including family, Indigenous, health, workplace, and community literacy. The Award is presented to learners, educators, volunteers, community organizations, and businesses in each province and territory.
Each Award recipient receives a certificate, signed by the Premier of their province or territory, as well as a Council of the Federation Literacy Award medallion.
The Council of the Federation comprises all 13 provincial and territorial Premiers. It enables Premiers to work collaboratively, form closer ties, foster constructive relationships among governments, and show leadership on important issues that matter to Canadians.