TRURO, NOVA SCOTIA April 3, 2007 — The Honourable Bill Casey, MP for Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, Nova Scotia, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSDC), today announced $157,700 in funding for a project that will address needs expressed by learning organizations across the province and allow learners to manage their own learning experiences.
''Canada's New Government is proud to partner with groups like the Literacy Association of Nova Scotia, whose projects can help Nova Scotians improve their literacy skills and build better lives, '' stated the Honourable Bill Casey. ''Today's investment of $157,700 will involve as many as 530 people who will learn and teach literacy skills."
Under the project entitled 'Improving Literacy Delivery through Training'', Literacy Nova Scotia (LNS) will facilitate the production of accessible and inclusive literacy programming that is learner-centred. Approximately 290 practitioners will be provided with new and dynamic ways to teach and design relevant literacy programs. Working in collaboration with the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning, LNS will also provide support to some 240 adult learners to help them clearly express their learning needs and benefit from leadership opportunities. Once trained, learners will act as role models and promote the benefits of learning.
As the provincial literacy coalition, LNS plays a critical role in the literacy community. Since its inception in 1992, LNS has established a solid foundation, strong relationships and a stable support system across the province.
Literacy, an important set of essential skills in today's labour market, is much more than reading, writing and numeracy. It is the ability to understand and use printed information in all kinds of daily activities. Literacy skills are essential to a good quality of life, as well as to the strength and adaptability of our national workforce and the continued health of our economy.
Supporting literacy requires the commitment of many partners. The Government of Canada works with provincial and territorial governments as well as voluntary organizations to fund literacy projects and reach out to disadvantaged Canadians in their communities. It also works with business and labour to encourage non-traditional learning in the workplace.
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For more information (media only):
Lesley Harmer
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Monte Solberg
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
