Skills for life

SEDI has been at the forefront of national financial literacy initiatives in Canada since 1995. We believe financial education presents a sustainable solution for individuals struggling to break the cycle of poverty.

Together with our partners, we have achieved significant social policy and program impacts in the area of financial literacy. For instance, in 2009, Canada's federal government established the Task Force on Financial Literacy, a measure recommended by SEDI in 2008 as a first step to develop a national strategy on financial literacy for Canada. SEDI is a strategic advisor to the group.

In the same year, TD Bank Financial Group announced unprecedented funding of $14.5 million to SEDI for financial literacy. Funds went to SEDI's Canadian Centre for Financial Literacy and to the new TD Financial Literacy Grant Fund. Co-founded with SEDI, the grant fund is the first of its kind in Canada and distributes millions in grants to community groups for financial literacy training.