PIAAC in Canada

PIAAC in Canada was conducted under the aegis of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Founded in 1967, CMEC is the collective voice of Canada’s ministers of education. It provides leadership in education at the pan-Canadian and international levels and contributes to the exercise of the exclusive jurisdiction of provinces and territories over education.

ESDC is a department of the Government of Canada. Its mission is to build a stronger and more competitive Canada, to support Canadians in making choices that help them live productive and rewarding lives, and to improve Canadians’ quality of life.

Canada’s participation in PIAAC is a joint effort of the ministers of education of the provinces and territories, through CMEC; the Government of Canada, led by ESDC; and a number of federal departments and agencies. This joint effort was established to support Canada’s participation in the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) and the consequent research and analysis that can inform policy development.