--- canonical_url: "https://csls.ca/research/impact-of-the-model-schools-literacy-project-and-fiscal-outcomes-in-first-nations-in-canada/" title: "Impact of the Model Schools Literacy Project and Fiscal Outcomes in First Nations in Canada" author: name: "CSLS" url: "https://csls.ca/author/cslc/" date_published: "2026-07-02T10:22:57+00:00" date_modified: "2026-07-02T10:22:57+00:00" post_type: "research" summary: "" post_tag: - "cost-benefit analysis" - "crime" - "First Nations" - "fiscal outcomes" - "health" - "labour market" - "literacy" - "Model Schools Literacy Project" country_focus: - "Canada" province_region: - "National" research_theme: - "Fiscal Policy" - "Indigenous Economic Development" featured_image: "https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/old-reports_hero_banner_bg.webp" status: "publish" --- # Impact of the Model Schools Literacy Project and Fiscal Outcomes in First Nations in Canada Canonical URL: https://csls.ca/research/impact-of-the-model-schools-literacy-project-and-fiscal-outcomes-in-first-nations-in-canada/ # Impact of the Model Schools Literacy Project and Fiscal Outcomes in First Nations in Canada [Download full PDF report](https://csls.ca/pdf/csls2021-01-1.pdf) Cite this report × Cite this report as: Lapointe, Simon. 2021. “Impact of the Model Schools Literacy Project and Fiscal Outcomes in First Nations in Canada.” CSLS Research Report 2021-01. Ottawa: Centre for the Study of Living Standards. https://csls.ca/research/impact-of-the-model-schools-literacy-project-and-fiscal-outcomes-in-first-nations-in-canada/ ## Author: - Simon Lapointe Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) ## Report 2021-01 January 2021 58 pages ## Related research [Closing the First Nations Education Gap in Canada: Assessing Progress and Estimating the Economic Benefits — An Update Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) February 2023 | Report 2023-01 | 101 pages](https://csls.ca/research/closing-the-first-nations-education-gap-in-canada-assessing-progress-and-estimating-the-economic-benefits-an-update-2023-01/) [Measuring the Appropriate Outcomes for Better Decision-Making: A Framework to Guide the Analysis of Health Policy Matthew Calver March 2016 | Report 2016-03 | 132 pages](https://csls.ca/research/measuring-the-appropriate-outcomes-for-better-decision-making-a-framework-to-guide-the-analysis-of-health-policy-2016-03/) [Apprenticeship in Canada: A Training System Under Siege? Andrew Sharpe December 1999 | Report 1999-03 | 59 pages](https://csls.ca/research/apprenticeship-in-canadaa-training-system-under-siege/) [A Comparison of Canadian and U.S. Labour Market Performance, 1989-2000 Andrew Sharpe April 2001 | Report 2001-01 | 29 pages](https://csls.ca/research/a-comparison-of-canadian-and-u-s-labour-market-performance-1989-2000/) [Exploring the Linkages between Productivity and Social Development in Market Economies Andrew Sharpe February 2004 | Report 2004-02 | 70 pages](https://csls.ca/research/exploring-the-linkages-between-productivity-and-social-development-in-market-economies/) [Indicators of Labour Market Conditions in Canada Andrew Sharpe, Anne-Marie Shaker November 2007 | Report 2007-03 | 67 pages](https://csls.ca/research/indicators-of-labour-market-conditions-in-canada/) [The Ontario-Quebec Continental Gateway: A Situational Analysis of Human Resources Needs Souleima El Achkar May 2009 | Report 2009-02 | 173 pages](https://csls.ca/research/the-ontario-quebec-continental-gateway-a-situational-analysis-of-human-resources-needs/) [The Effect of Increasing Aboriginal Educational Attainment on the Labour Force, Output and the Fiscal Balance Andrew Sharpe, Jean-François Arsenault, Simon Lapointe, Fraser Cowan May 2009 | Report 2009-03 | 108 pages](https://csls.ca/research/the-effect-of-increasing-aboriginal-educational-attainment-on-the-labour-force-output-and-the-fiscal-balance/) [Investing in Aboriginal Education in Canada: An Economic Perspective Andrew Sharpe, Jean-François Arsenault February 2010 | Report 2010-03 | 37 pages](https://csls.ca/research/investing-in-aboriginal-education-in-canada-an-economic-perspective/) [Does Money Matter? Determining the Happiness of Canadians Andrew Sharpe, Ali Ghanghro, Erik Johnson, Anam Kidwai November 2010 | Report 2010-09 | 134 pages](https://csls.ca/research/does-money-matter-determining-the-happiness-of-canadians/) ## Abstract ## Résumé EN FR Copy link Email LinkedIn This report evaluates the fiscal and literacy outcomes of the Model Schools Literacy Project (MSLP) for First Nations on reserve in Canada. It first reviews the literature on the impact of literacy on socio-economic outcomes including labour market performance, health, crime, and social engagement. It then quantifies the economic benefits of improved literacy for First Nations on reserve by estimating cost savings and additional revenues across several categories: diabetes, incarceration, welfare payments, employment insurance, additional tax revenues, costs of substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and adult and special education costs. The cost-benefit analysis finds that investment in the MSLP generates substantial returns. Ce rapport évalue les résultats budgétaires et les résultats en matière de littératie du Projet de littératie des écoles modèles (PLEM) pour les Premières Nations vivant en réserve au Canada. Il recense d’abord la littérature sur l’incidence de la littératie sur les résultats socioéconomiques, notamment la performance sur le marché du travail, la santé, la criminalité et l’engagement social. Il quantifie ensuite les avantages économiques d’une littératie améliorée pour les Premières Nations en réserve, en estimant les économies de coûts et les revenus additionnels dans plusieurs catégories : le diabète, l’incarcération, les prestations d’aide sociale, l’assurance-emploi, les revenus fiscaux additionnels, les coûts de la toxicomanie, les grossesses chez les adolescentes, ainsi que les coûts de l’éducation pour adultes et de l’éducation spécialisée. L’analyse coûts-avantages révèle que l’investissement dans le PLEM génère des rendements substantiels. [Download full PDF report](https://csls.ca/pdf/csls2021-01-1.pdf)