48% of Canadians may be unable to read this headline

According to a recent study by the Canada Council On Learning, 48% of all Canadians, are, based on international literacy standards for modern societies, illiterate. More bad news? This low literacy rate is likely to remain the same through to 2031.

People who with difficulties reading can face the following:
- illness more often than those who are literate
- more medication errors
- more workplace accidents
- less earnings
- are likely to die younger

The study shows that "men and women of all ages, cultural backgrounds and demographic groups face literacy challenges." Furthermore, there are different literacy levels, rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being "very poor" and 4/5 considered "strong skills."