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April 30, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
04-34
OTTAWA, ONTARIO - The Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced that the Honourable Senator Joyce Fairbairn will continue in her role as Special Advisor on Literacy to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
"I am pleased to announce Senator Fairbairn's renewed role as Special Advisor on Literacy to the Government of Canada. Senator Fairbairn has long been a dedicated champion of literacy issues across Canada. She has gained a wealth of experience and maintained strong partnerships with literacy organizations and others interested in skills and learning. She has taken a special interest in the integration of this dossier into other government priorities such as health and justice," said Minister Volpe.
Senator Fairbairn was the first woman to be named as Leader of the Government in the Senate and also served as Minister with Special Responsibility for Literacy from 1993 to 1997. She was first appointed Special Advisor on Literacy on September 8, 1997, and will continue to act in this capacity.
Senator Joyce Fairbairn was born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta. She was appointed to the Senate for the province of Alberta on June 29, 1984, and initiated national debate in the Senate on literacy in Canada in March 1987. Senator Fairbairn was appointed to the Privy Council on November 4, 1993, and served in the Federal Cabinet until June 1997.
"Literacy touches virtually every aspect of our lives: it is key to our personal growth and development and has a profound influence on our health and our social, emotional and economic well-being. Some 42 percent of working-age Canadians do not have the literacy skills required in today's complex society. Minimum literacy requirements have evolved with globalization and the advent of new technology. Canadians have to be more skilled at reading, writing, counting and computing in order to compete for jobs and participate as informed citizens in a democracy," said HRSDC Minister, Joe Volpe.
The National Literacy Secretariat of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada works in partnership with provincial and territorial governments, business, labour, educational institutions and the volunteer community. The goal of these partnerships is to increase public awareness of literacy, help people share information, improve access to literacy programs, develop learning materials and advance research on literacy.
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For more information:
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
(819) 994-5559
www.hrsdc.gc.ca/nls
