This article presents two distinct discourses on second language adult immigrant literacy which currently co-exist in Canada: 1) the discourse on second language literacy skills and practices of adult immigrants and 2) the political discourse and actions that aim at the achievement of bior multilingualism by this population. Analysis of these discourses emphasizes a certain lack of congruence between the political aims and the actual literacy needs of the immigrants which, for certain groups, is likely to result in limited participation in Canadian society.