The Canadian report shows the importance of describing the ways in which literacy and literacy practices affect our lives. Canadians do not appear to be less literate than other participants in the international survey when daily practices outside the workplace are compared. People with greater literacy skills were more likely to report having reading materials in their homes than those with less-developed skills. However, reading materials are not completely absent in the homes of those rated at Level 1. Finally, those at Levels 4 and 5 read books more frequently than those at the same levels in most other countries surveyed.
Young adults appear to perform daily literacy-oriented tasks as frequently as older adults.
They visited libraries more often, but that is likely because many are still in school. Bills may be an exception because many young adults still attend school and depend on their parents for financial support. Another common belief is that more time spent in watching television has led to a decline in literacy skills. The survey does show a strong association between literacy skills and the amount of time spent in watching television. Those with low skills may not be able to get the information they need from print because of their lesser competence, and therefore turn to television instead.