PLAIN Canada’s Plain and Simple, Vol. 1

Welcome!

PLAIN Canada promotes plain language in Canada in both official languages. It is a volunteer, unincorporated, member organization working to build a community of plain language professionals and advocates. 

PLAIN Canada provides resources and networking opportunities for supporters of plain language in Canada. 

We are launching this newsletter to:

• share ideas and promote best practices in plain language
• let our community know what we have been up to and what events or activities we have planned 
• raise the profile of plain language and our organization in Canada

• share news from other like-minded organizations and individuals

Each edition will feature:

• a profile of a member of the PLAIN Canada community
• training tips and information about upcoming training opportunities
• helpful online resources
• patron’s Corner, where we will highlight our patron’s upcoming activities

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This newsletter is available in both French and English.

In this issue

In this first issue, we will introduce our patron, Cheryl Stephens.
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Some of our ideas for future articles include the following topics:

• history of plain language in Canada
• introduction of the ISO 24495, Plain language
• reader-based readability tests
• how to promote plain language writing in your organization
• proven approaches for user testing on a tight (to nonexistent) budget
• building relationships with communications professionals

In the coming months, we will solicit your ideas for articles and ask for contributions to our newsletter. Watch our website and our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook for calls for submissions or invitations to collaborate on future editions.

We look forward to hearing your ideas and building our community! 

Jocelyn Pletz and Chantale Audet
Editors

Our Patron

We are proud to introduce Cheryl Stephens as the patron of PLAIN Canada. Cheryl is a leader, author, editor, educator, consultant, and trainer who specializes in plain language communication. 

Although Cheryl initially trained as a lawyer, for over thirty years she has worked tirelessly to promote and build the legal writing and plain language writing movement throughout Canada and the world. Cheryl co-founded the Plain Language Association International (PLAIN) in 1993 and was later named the organization’s first life member.

At the PLAIN conference in Oslo, Norway, in 2019, a group of Canadians decided to organize a plain language group that focused on the unique needs of Canadian plain language practitioners. For example, we not only have two official languages, we are also one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world. Many Canadians do not speak English or French as a native language. Following the Oslo conference, Cheryl got to work and started organizing PLAIN Canada.
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Cheryl is a prolific writer and her latest book, Plain Language in Plain English, is a comprehensive guide to clear communication. See all of Cheryl’s books at Plain Language Wizardry.

Patron's Corner

FREE Online Training

The Plain Train, an online plain language training program created by Cheryl Stephens, is based on Plain Language, Clear and Simple, the training resource for plain language developed by the Government of Canada. The pamphlet is out of print, but Iva Cheung has made a digital copy available in both languages. Read about the background to that project here.  In Cheryl’s course, you will find helpful tips and techniques for improving your communication skills by using plain language.

Networking & Training

Monthly activities

PLAIN Canada has been hosting monthly virtual meetings, which have included webinars, presentations, and Q&As. They have become very popular, and many have provided excellent training.

In recognition of the time and efforts required to prepare these presentations, we would like to be able to offer an honorarium for presenters. However, to do that, we may need to start charging an attendance fee.
In the coming weeks, watch for more information about our webinar schedule for the year and our plans for charging a modest fee for attendance. We are also exploring the option of inviting people to pay an annual membership fee in exchange for free access to all our webinars and training opportunities.

Unconference planned for 2021/2022

Unlike traditional conferences, an “unconference” is a participant-driven meeting that is less structured and encourages collaboration and discussion. Instead of formal presentations, everyone participates and contributes their experiences and expertise.
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Watch for more information on LinkedIn and Facebook. To make sure you don’t miss any important announcements, [click here to join our mailing list].

Awards & Recognition

During the 2021 PLAIN conference, several members of our PLAIN Canada community received recognition for their work in plain language.

Plain Language Academies received the Cheryl Stephens Plain Language Innovation Award. This international award was presented to Kate Harrison Whiteside, founder and director of Plain Language Academies. Congratulations to the Plain Language Academies team for their groundbreaking contributions to the field of plain language.

Chantale Audet and Amélie Bourret of Autrement dit received their second ClearMark Award. The ClearMark Awards recognize plain language communications created by North American organizations. They are presented to successful recipients during the awards ceremony at the PLAIN conference.

Chantale and Amélie received their first ClearMark Award last year in the Before and After (Digital) category. This year, they were recognized in the French Language category for their work with Autisme Quebec on the Série de fiches d’éducation financière pour jeunes adultes autistes.
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Canadian Digital Service and Health Canada received the ClearMark Award in the Apps category in recognition of their work on COVID Alert, Canada’s exposure notification app.

Featured Online Resources

Explore the Resources page on the PLAIN Canada website for links to: 

• free government resources,
• professional resources (consultants, trainers, practitioners, and advocates), and
• literacy resources.

​On the website, you will also find links to training resources, including the Plain Train.