The Future of Essential Skills Ontario

It is with deep regret that the Board of Directors of Essential Skills Ontario (ESO) announces the decision to close the organization, with active operations ceasing effective July 1, 2015. This decision follows changes in the federal government funding priorities away from work supporting adult literacy and essential skills programming across Canada.

ESO, formerly the Ontario Literacy Coalition, built a 27 year legacy of fighting for improvements in adult literacy and essential skills through its work in research, policy and advocacy.

To ensure that its important work lives on, selected reports and information produced by ESO will remain accessible to the public:

All reports, tools, and recorded webinars will continue to be hosted on the organization’s website – www.essentialskillsontario.ca
ESO is taking steps to have the Strengthening Rural Canada website maintained and kept up-to-date through our partner, Decoda Literacy Solutions – www.decoda.ca
ESO PDF documents will continue to be accessible at www.copian.ca, now administered by Le Centre de documentation sur l’éducation des adultes et la condition féminine (CDÉACF)
The Board of Directors would like to thank the many stakeholders, including other organizations in the literacy field, public funders and community partners who have worked beside us for the past 27 years. Special thanks to our talented and hardworking staff for their continued professionalism during this difficult time, and Executive Director Lesley Brown for her dedication and leadership.

Individually and collectively, we remain committed to improving the literacy and essential skills of all Ontarians.

Bernadette McKenzie,
President and Chair, on behalf of the Board of Directors for Essential Skills Ontario

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