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May 3, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
04-37
OTTAWA, ONTARIO - The Honourable Senator Joyce Fairbairn, Special Advisor on Literacy, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced funding of $403,555 for three projects aimed at promoting literacy. The Government of Canada is funding the projects through the National Literacy Secretariat.
"The impact of literacy is national and far-reaching. It is crucial for the Government of Canada to partner with other organizations to ensure that Canadians are equipped with the necessary literacy skills to function in the knowledge economy," said Senator Fairbairn.
Under the first project entitled Workplace Literacy Participatory Outreach and Awareness Development, the National Visible Minority Council on Labour Force Development will reach out to visible minority communities to identify the range of issues, needs, barriers, and strategies that will help to promote workplace literacy among members of visible minority groups.
"Today's announcement reinforces the Government of Canada's commitment to ensure that members of visible minorities have the skills required to participate fully in the knowledge-based economy and society. Participation of visible minorities in the Canadian labour market is key to ensuring an equitable labour force as well as to meeting the challenges that the labour force presently faces," said Shelley Das, Executive Director of the National Visible Minority Council on Labour Force Development.
Formed in 1991, thiss. It also facilitates communication between its members and other stakeholders in the Canadian labour market on issues and concerns related to equity and access.
The second project, led by the Movement for Canadian Literacy (MCL), is Consolidating Canada's Literacy Research Journal. This project will involve producing two new issues of the journal Literacies, maintaining a Web version of the journal, promoting the journal, fostering practitioner writing, and securing additional financial support for the project.
"Funding for Literacies supports discussion of adult literacy research in Canada. The journal is a dynamic forum for the discussion of issues affecting adult literacy programs and research. Literacies is unique in allowing researchers and practitioners to dialogue and learn from each other," said Wendy DesBrisay, Executive Director of MCL.
Since its creation in 1977, MCL has been actively involved in informing the government and the public about issues related to adult literacy in Canada; providing a national forum for literacy organizations across the country; and strengthening the voice of adult learners.
The objective of the last project, Apprendre par les contes et le théâtre, from Littérature, interprétation, scène Inc. (LIS), is to promote family literacy among French-speaking families and those with French as second language. The list of activities, funded under the project, includes a series of presentations promoting family literacy, the launch of a reading kit and a LIS Web site as well as participation by LIS in reading circles.
"We are grateful for the support of the National Literacy Secretariat with our work in promoting literacy and reading with children and their families through various theatre projects. Theatre is an excellent tool to promote literacy because it demystifies reading, and reading becomes fun," stated Judith Lévy-Goulet, Director of LIS. The mandate of LIS is to promote literacy among children and their families, using theatre as a means to achieve that objective.
Literacy skills are linked to work skills, health, and self-esteem. Higher literacy skills among Canadians enable them to participate more fully in our economy and our society. For instance, literacy skills help to determine the kinds of jobs we find, enable parents to read to their children, and help us to understand technical jargon, allowing us to use tools and equipment safely.
The National Literacy Secretariat works in partnership with provincial and territorial governments, business, labour, and the volunteer community. The goal of these partnerships is to increase public awareness of literacy, help people to share information, improve access to literacy programs, develop learning materials, and advance research on literacy.
Funding for these projects was provided for in the March 2004 federal Budget.
These projects have been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department's administration of its grant and contribution programs, and are subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.
PROJECT SUMMARIES
National Visible Minority Council on Labour Force Development
- Workplace Literacy Participatory Outreach and Awareness Development: $150,100
Movement for Canadian Literacy (MCL)
- Consolidating Canada's Literacy Research Journal: $175,000
Littérature, interprétation, scène Inc. (LIS)
- Apprendre par les contes et le théâtre: $78,455
Total Government of Canada funding: $403,555 through the National Literacy Secretariat
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For more information:
Stephanie Lewis
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
(819) 994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
(819) 994-5559
