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It's been interesting times lately for literacy. Over the fall and
early winter, several important events and initiatives have taken place
to help move a national literacy agenda forward:
- The Minister
of State Claudette Bradshaw convened a multi-stakeholder advisory
committee to provide advise in the development of a pan-Canadian literacy
strategy.
The report is available on line
http://www.nald.ca/fulltext/
towards/towards.pdf
- The
Canadian results of the International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey
(IALSS), released in November, indicate that 4 in 10 working age
Canadians rank below the literacy level considered necessary for success
in
our information-based society and economy.
- In November, the federal
government presented an economic statement and a "Plan for Growth
and Prosperity" that promised $3.5 billion to enhance Canada's workforce.
Increasing access to literacy and essential skills was one of the priorities
targeted.
Optimism was at an all-time high within the literacy
community prior to the election call in December. However, with the election
of a new government, it may be difficult to build on the momentum around literacy
that was present in the fall. During the election, politicians from
all parties
are on the record about the need to create a more literate population.
We hope that the new Conservative government will recognize the
importance of literacy in the lives of all Canadians and build on
the work
that has been done to date. |
2006
NWT-PGI
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