In March 2009, Movement for Canadian Literacy (MCL) commissioned "Resources for Results", a private research and evaluation firm, to conduct a baseline study to explore the effects of the recent economic downturn on literacy and essential skills programs across Canada. The "Resources for Results" research team interviewed 35 people from across Canada who work in some capacity in the literacy and essential skills field. The purpose of the interviews was to explore the implications of the rapidly changing economic, social and political context for the field of literacy and essential skills. While there are significant differences in the Canadian economic situation regionally, the interviews revealed some common perceptions and observations about the state of literacy across the country. As can be expected, the general reaction to the survey was that it is still "too soon to tell" what the full effects of the downturn will be. Appended are: (1) List of Respondents; (2) More on Methodology and Interview Questions; (3) Summary of Respondents Perceptions to Key Factors; (4) Composite Learning Index; and (5) Provincial and Territorial Overviews. (Contains 3 footnotes.)