Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Diane McGifford is proclaiming September Literacy Month to remind all Manitobans of the importance of strong literacy, numeracy and other essential skills at home and at work.

 

“In Manitoba and across the country, the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada is working hard to raise awareness about literacy issues affecting adults, families, communities and businesses,” McGifford said.  “The first Pan-Canadian Interactive Literacy Forum held in April provided an excellent starting point for examining common literacy issues and finding ways to resolve them.”

 

The minister noted those who have high literacy skills have better job options, higher incomes, less conflict with the law and generally better health and well-being. Since 1999, the Manitoba government has doubled the province’s annual investment in adult literacy to almost $2.7 million this year.

 

Manitoba’s commitment to adult and family literacy was confirmed by the proclamation of the Adult Literacy Act, the first of its kind in Canada, which comes into effect on Jan. 1, 2009.  The act will guide efforts to improve adult literacy levels across the province.

 

Since April, literacy stakeholder and public consultations have taken place and a report is being developed for review.  The input gathered will form the foundation of Manitoba’s first comprehensive adult literacy strategy.

 

“During the national interactive forum, Manitoba participants focused on literacy levels and how they impact labour productivity,” McGifford said.  “Many people are surprised when they learn that as many as 40 per cent of working-age adults may need to update their literacy and other essential skills regularly to keep pace with current labour market demands.”

 

In addition to funding for adult literacy programs, the provincial government supports literacy development through a Reading for Life early literacy program for families to encourage parent-infant bonding and positively impact child development.  Rural and northern libraries are also benefiting from the province’s new library technology fund and successful new library pilot projects are being continued on First Nations reserves.

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