Council of the Federation Literacy Award

The Council of the Federation is made up of Canada’s 13 premiers and territorial leaders. They work together on issues of common concern.

Each year, the council recognizes one person, team, or organization from each province and territory for their work in literacy with the Council of the Federation Literacy Award.

The recipients are announced in September on International Literacy Day.

2025 theme: transformative education

For 2025, Ontario will honour an adult learner who has transformed their life through achieving their goal of advancing their education and training by attaining high school or equivalent, entering an apprenticeship, or moving into post-secondary education.

How to nominate someone

You can help choose Ontario’s next winner of the Council of the Federation Literacy Award.

To nominate a person, you must submit:

  • a completed and signed nomination form which includes a summary of the nominee’s achievements and outlines why they deserve to receive the award
  • at least one signed letter of support

Nominee eligibility

To be eligible for the Council of the Federation Literacy Award, your nominee must:

  • live in Ontario
  • have been actively involved in activities in Ontario relating to this year’s award category in the last 12 months
  • provide their consent to be nominated, agree to accept the award at a presentation in an awards ceremony and sign a release and consent for promotional purposes

Make a nomination

Nominations close at 5 p.m. EST on May 30, 2025.

Download the nomination form to send in your submission.

Submit your nominations by mail to:

COFLA Project Coordinator 
Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
Skills Development and Community Response Branch
2nd Floor, 33 Bloor St E 
Toronto, Ontario M7A 2S3

Submit your questions or nominations by email to:

COFLA.PACF@ontario.ca 
Subject line: COFLA 2025 nomination

Please let us know if you require the nomination and rules forms in an alternative format.

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Award recipients

The Council of the Federation Literacy Award started in 2005. Here’s a list of  previous winners in Ontario:

  • 2024: Kayla Dufault, Literacy learner at Sault College’s Academic Upgrading Literacy and Basic Skills program
  • 2023: Louise Lalonde, was the Director of the Moi J’Apprends Centre
  • 2022: e-Channel team:
    • Avon-Maitland District School Board 'The Learning Hub'
    • Sioux Hudson Literacy Council ‘Good Learning Anywhere'
    • Coalition Ontarienne de Formation des Adultes ‘Formation à Distance (F@D)’
    • George Brown College ‘Deaf Learn Now’
    • College Sector Committee for Adult Upgrading ‘Academic & Career Entrance Program / ACE Distance’
    • Contact North | Contact Nord
  • 2021: Summer Burton, Literacy and Basic Skills curriculum developer working with Literacy Link South Central.
  • 2020: Fatuma Hassan, ESL Literacy learner attending Women's Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc.
  • 2019: Katharina Peters, a learner with the YMCA St. Thomas-Elgin Skills Training and Upgrading Program
  • 2018: T.R. Leger School of Adult, Alternative and Continuing Education, Upper Canada District School Board
  • 2017: The LearningHUB
  • 2016: Kenamatewin Native Learning Centre, Kenora
  • 2015: Brenda Krys, literacy volunteer with Waterloo Region District School Board
  • 2014: Tim Nicholls Harrison, CEO, Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library
  • 2013: Shelley Harris, education and employment manager, YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin
  • 2012: Community Literacy of Ontario, based in Barrie
  • 2011: Ningwakwe George, founder, Ningwakwe Learning Press
  • 2010: Leah Morris, executive director, Adult Basic Education Association, based in Hamilton
  • 2009: Jean Doull, executive director, Organization for Literacy in Sarnia-Lambton
  • 2008: Alfred Jean-Baptiste, executive director, Centre for Community Learning and Development, Toronto
  • 2007: Michelle Eady, member/project leader, Sioux Hudson Literacy Council
  • 2006: Leslie Ion, tutor, fundraiser and volunteer, Literacy Council of Brantford and District
  • 2005: Rita Buffalo, literacy coordinator, Anishnawbe Skills Development Program, Thunder Bay