Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Diane McGifford is encouraging Manitobans to recognize the importance of strong literacy, numeracy and other essential skills during September, which has been declared Literacy Month in Manitoba. 

"As part of our government's adult literacy strategy, Manitobans will have better access to literacy programs and can expect the same high-quality, consistent instruction provincewide," McGifford said.  "Developing literacy and numeracy skills at a young age and maintaining them throughout our lives has a direct impact on how well we perform in school and at work, and on our health and well-being."

Across Canada, ministers of education have been working together for the past several years to identify common literacy issues and find solutions.  Their work is guided by research showing that individuals with high literacy skills also have better jobs, higher incomes and better health.

Manitoba's total support for adult learning and literacy programs for 2010-11 is just over $19 million. Since 1999, the Manitoba government has more than doubled the province's annual investment in adult literacy to almost $2.6 million.

Manitoba's commitment to adult literacy was confirmed by the proclamation of the Adult Literacy Act, the first of its kind in Canada, which came into force on Jan. 1, 2009.  The act is guiding efforts to improve adult literacy levels across the province, McGifford said.

The minister noted a Pan-Canadian Literacy Forum sponsored by the Council of Ministers of Education Canada in 2008 focused on literacy levels and the impact they have on labour productivity.  Statistics show as many as 40 per cent of working-age adults may have to update their literacy and other essential skills on a regular basis to remain competitive in today's labour market.

In addition to funding for adult literacy programs, the provincial government supports literacy development through a Reading for Life early-literacy program which encourages parent-infant bonding and positively affects child development, she said.

"All Manitobans are encouraged to assess their own literacy, numeracy, and computer skills and essential skills for the workplace or discuss them with family members and colleagues to raise awareness of the importance of staying current and keeping pace with current labour market changes," McGifford said.