Council of the Federation Literacy Award

The Council of the Federation Literacy Award recognizes outstanding achievement, innovative practice, and excellence in literacy in every province and territory. It was created in 2004 by Canada’s Premiers.

In British Columbia the award celebrates the achievements of a literacy champion or organization (including libraries) that helps Indigenous, workplace or community literacy learners in B.C. to acquire the literacy skills they need to improve their lives. This includes Indigenous language, numerical, digital or other forms of literacy.

The award is administered by the Public Libraries Branch, Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs.

The 2025 recipient, Friends of Simon, an initiative of Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Education, is recognized for empowering newcomer and marginalized K–12 students across the Lower Mainland for over 19 years.

Nominations for B.C.’s 2026 recipient are now closed. COFLA award is announced September 8, 2026.