How K-12 Math and Reading Contribute to A2J

By: Lou Lamari, Articling Student-at-Law, University of Manitoba Faculty of Law

In the most recent Throne speech, the Manitoba government pledged to mandate a dedicated unit on financial literacy for Grade 9 students. Providing programming to build essential skills and knowledge to help youth navigate society as consumers is a positive move, and this initiative immediately had me thinking about the potential impact this could have on access to justice.

Foundational skills in reading and mathematics are typically developed during the K-12 years and play a critical role in enabling individuals to meaningfully engage with legal processes. These skills are directly tied to financial literacy, functional literacy, consumer skills, and civic knowledge — tools necessary for understanding legal documents, completing forms, and engaging in general problem-solving and critical reasoning.

The increasing prevalence of self-represented litigants (SRLs) in Manitoba highlights the practical consequences of educational gaps in these areas. Many SRLs enter the legal system due to economic barriers to legal representation. Without sufficient literacy and numeracy skills, many SRLs may face additional barriers that make navigating the legal system even more challenging.

Research shows that many Canadians struggle with functional literacy, with Statistics Canada reporting that approximately 48% of adults aged 16 and older possess reading skills below the level considered necessary for full societal participation.[1] In a 2013 study on adult literacy skills, Manitoba scored average on a national scale; however, Canada as a whole has declined in literacy skills compared to results from the same study conducted ten years prior.

For SRLs, low reading proficiency often results in difficulty understanding the language of the law, which is often technical and complex. Court forms and instructions are not always written in plain language, making them inaccessible to those with limited literacy skills. This creates a significant barrier to completing procedural requirements, potentially resulting in delays, errors, or dismissal of cases.

Math skills, while less commonly associated with legal processes, are also important. Financial literacy, a subset of numeracy, enables individuals to manage their resources effectively, understand financial obligations, and evaluate the consequences of legal decisions. For example, calculating child support payments, analyzing settlement offers, or managing debt in bankruptcy proceedings all require basic numeracy skills.

Manitoba’s K-12 education system has an important role in equipping students with these skills; however, national assessments suggest that many students graduate without achieving grade-level proficiency in mathematics.[2] The consequences are significant: individuals with limited numeracy skills are less likely to understand the financial implications of legal agreements or recognize predatory practices in consumer contracts, leaving them more vulnerable to exploitation.[3]

Civic education, which encompasses understanding rights and responsibilities under the law, also stems from foundational K-12 learning. Knowledge of how government and legal systems function is essential for engaging with the justice system. Without this understanding, individuals may not recognize their legal rights or know how to assert them effectively.

Additionally, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are often developed through a combination of literacy and numeracy education, are crucial for analyzing complex legal issues and making informed decisions.

The intersection of education and access to justice demonstrates that literacy and numeracy are not merely academic skills; they are foundational to equity and participation in society. As Manitoba seeks to address growing challenges in its legal system, particularly the rise in SRLs, investing in education emerges as a relevant strategy.

By enhancing literacy and numeracy education in Manitoba’s K-12 schools, policymakers can work to equip individuals with the tools they need to engage more effectively with the legal system. Simplifying legal language and offering plain-language resources can further mitigate the challenges faced by those with limited skills. Adult literacy programs and targeted support for SRLs could also help bridge existing gaps.

As the justice system grapples with the growing number of self-represented litigants, it becomes apparent that educational reform is not just a matter of academic achievement, but is a component of ensuring equitable access to justice for all Manitobans. I am pleased to see the new initiative regarding financial literacy being included in Manitoba high schools, but I also hope that our province will also do more to address our society’s declining literacy rate.


[1] Conference Board of Canada, “Adults with Inadequate Literacy Skills” (last visited 2 December 2024) online: https://www.conferenceboard.ca/hcp/adlt-lowlit-aspx/; Statistics Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada and Council of Ministers of Education, Skills in Canada: First Results from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC)  Catalogue no 89-555-X (Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2013).

[2] Statistics Canada, supra note 1.

[3] Ibid.


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