Financial Literacy Month Starts Today in Canada

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 1, 2012) -

Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available on the Canadian Press picture wire via Marketwire.

The Honorable Ted Menzies, Minister of State for Finance and Ursula Menke, Commissioner of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), officially launched today the start of the second annual Financial Literacy Month (FLM) at a ceremony in Ottawa that follows a series of regional events across Canada in the past week. To mark the occasion, Minister Menzies and Commissioner Menke were accompanied by Tom Hamza, President of the Ontario Investor Education Fund (IEF), Josee Cousineau, Director of Operations at Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi de l'Outaouais and Tamera Van Brunt, Chair of the Investor Education Committee of the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and Director of Communications and Investor Education for the Alberta Securities Commission (ASC).

"Financial Literacy Month is an opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of acquiring life skills that can allow Canadians to act knowledgeably and with confidence when managing their personal financial affairs" commented Minister Menzies. "Our Government is committed to enhancing the financial well-being of all Canadians both by increasing awareness of financial literacy resources, and by strengthening the existing consumer protection framework through a variety of regulations introduced since 2010 on issues as diverse as prepaid cards and credit agreements."

During November, community organizations, volunteer groups, government agencies and the private sector will team up to offer seminars, workshops and other events to highlight the importance of financial literacy in today's economy.

"The aim of today's launch is to showcase the many tools, resources and sources of information that are already available to Canadian consumers to help them improve their financial knowledge and their confidence in making financial decisions", said Commissioner Menke.

Engaging youth early in financial literacy is another key objective of FLM. Their energy and creativity can have a significant impact on public awareness. FCAC hopes to capture this energy and creativity through the youth video contest it launched today. Thirteen to 19 year old students will have until November 30 to submit their one to three minute video entries. The entries will be shown on FCAC's YouTube channel throughout November. Three winners will be selected and will be awarded great prizes for their submissions. In addition, a "viewer's choice" award will also be presented to the finalist video with the greatest number of "likes" on YouTube at close of day, December 13. For more details on deadlines and prizes, visit FLM's Web pages at itpaystoknow.gc.ca/flm.

About the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)

With educational materials and interactive tools, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) provides objective information about financial products and services to help Canadians increase their financial knowledge and confidence in managing their personal finances. FCAC informs consumers about their rights and responsibilities when dealing with banks and federally regulated trust, loan and insurance companies. FCAC also makes sure that federally regulated financial institutions, payment card network operators and external complaints bodies comply with legislation and industry commitments intended to protect consumers.

You can reach FCAC through its Consumer Services Centre by calling toll-free 1-866-461-3222 (TTY: 613-947-7771 or 1-866-914-6097) or by visiting their website: itpaystoknow.gc.ca.

Follow @FCACan on Twitter

Subscribe to FCACan on YouTube

November is Financial Literacy Month: itpaystoknow.gc.ca/flm

Like Financial Literacy Month in Canada on Facebook

Join the Partnering to Turn Financial Literacy into Action group on LinkedIn

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/FCAC.jpg

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Bram Sepers
Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Finance)
613-996-7861


Julie Hauser
Media Relations Officer
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
613-941-4168
julie.hauser@fcac-acfc.gc.ca


Mark Dickey
Senior Communications Advisor
Alberta Securities Commission
403-297-4481
media@asc.ca


Perry Quinton
Vice President, Marketing
Investor Education Fund
416-593-2348
pquinton@getsmarteraboutmoney.ca


Carrefour jeunesse emploi de l'Outaouais
819-561-7712
info@cjeo.qc.ca