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September 8, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board, Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of State (Human Resources Development), today announced funding of $541,540 for 10 literacy projects in Manitoba. The Government of Canada is funding these initiatives through the National Literacy Secretariat.
"I am pleased to announce funding for 10 literacy projects in Manitoba that are helping individuals integrate into the knowledge-based economy," said Minister Alcock. "The Government of Canada recognizes that strong literacy skills are the foundation of social and economic success. They are key determinants of Canada's productivity, competitiveness, social inclusion and ultimately prosperity and quality of life."
The Government's efforts to strengthen literacy levels are in keeping with its commitment to building a 21st century economy, and ensuring that all Canadians have access to the skills development and learning opportunities they need to realize their potential and participate fully in the economy and society.
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada's National Literacy Secretariat (NLS) is funding these projects. As the Government of Canada's focal point for sharing information and expertise on literacy issues in Canada, the NLS acts as a catalyst for literacy action, working with many partners to find innovative ways to improve the literacy skills of Canadians, increase public awareness, and advance literacy research.
National Literacy Secretariat (NLS) projects involve literacy initiatives within the workplace, community and family settings. They will be developed and delivered by business and labour organizations, community literacy organizations and training and skills development institutions, and target a wide range of populations across the country.
Funding for these projects was provided for in the 2005 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.
For more information, see attached backgrounder.
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For more information (media only):
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
(819) 994-5559
Yannick Leclair
Office of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw
(819) 953-8385
BACKGROUNDER
National Literacy Secretariat
The following are the 10 recipients of the National Literacy Secretariat funding:
Organization
Location
Funding
Interlake Adult Learning Association, Inc.
It will also develop and deliver a workshop for family literacy practitioners.
Arnes
$90,000
Dauphin Friendship Centre, Inc.
The Dauphin Friendship Centre will develop a teaching package and student materials that link literacy and essential skills to media and media productions.
Dauphin
$45,523
Little Black River First Nation
Little Black River First Nation intends to create a First Nations and Aboriginal reading workbook for adult literacy students. The workbook will comprise 30 short stories related to First Nations culture, each followed by at least two written exercises.
O'Hanly
$61,661
Lord Selkirk School Division
The Lord Selkirk School Division will conduct research to determine the extent to which a school-based model for delivering adult literacy learning could be used in local school programming, and whether this approach would lead to improved literacy for parents and their children.
Selkirk
$32,285
Lake Manitoba First Nation
The Lake Manitoba First Nation will develop interactive education products that will promote safety in the three main industries in the region: agriculture, fishing and the building trades. Written in English and Ojibwa, these materials will allow adult learners to improve their literacy skills, while enhancing workplace safety.
Vogar
$36,021
Centre for Education and Work
The Centre for Education and Work will promote literacy development to communities in the Winnipeg area. It will research ways to promote literacy programming, develop workshop tools for families, and create a facilitators' guide and training package to complement the workshop materials.
Winnipeg
$121,884
Creative Retirement Manitoba, Inc.
Creative Retirement Manitoba's Literacy Links Intergenerational Project, now entering its second year, will develop a training manual for organizations wishing to engage retired and senior citizens in delivering family literacy programs. It will also pilot a family literacy program in personal care homes.
Winnipeg
$39,220
Indian and Métis Friendship Centre of Winnipeg, Inc.
The Indian and Métis Friendship Centre of Winnipeg will pilot the Aboriginal Literacy and Parenting Skills (A-LAPS) program in Winnipeg and St. Theresa Point. The A-LAPS program allows parents to improve their literacy skills, while giving them tools to model good literacy practices to their children.
Winnipeg
$40,481
Open Doors Adult Literacy Program
The Open Doors Adult Literacy Program will develop a science curriculum and related materials for level 2 learners, and encourage its use in community adult literacy programs across Manitoba.
Winnipeg
$60,000
Yellowquill College
Yellowquill College will develop literacy learning materials based on the stories of elders. These materials will help improve the English-language literacy skills of learners whose mother tongue is Ojibwa.
Winnipeg
$14,465
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