The report What We Heard is available at the link below as a follow-up to the consultations on Manitoba's new Literacy Act. Manitoba Library Association's voice was heard, along with the Winnipeg Public Library Board - and of course many practitioners and learners.

Libraries, a socially inclusive service, were recognized by some participants as key resources in terms of holdings, expertise, outreach, internet access, facilities availability, and general support services. At present they are seen to be peripheral players.

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December 9, 2008

CONSULTATION REPORT TO GUIDE PROVINCEWIDE LITERACY STRATEGY:  MCGIFFORD

Recommendations from the What We Heard report containing consultation findings will guide the development of a provincewide adult literacy strategy, Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Diane McGifford announced today.

"Our government is committed to addressing the adult literacy challenge in Manitoba and this report provides a solid foundation for developing and working with others to implement a provincewide adult literacy strategy," McGifford said.  "Manitobans must have the range of literacy skills that prepares them for further education and training as well as equips them to access better jobs and enhance their participation in family and community life."

Released today, the report provides the ideas and views of more than 250 literacy stakeholders and over 100 organizations.

The literacy consultation discussion focused on how to reach those with the lowest literacy skills, promote literacy initiatives, raise literacy levels and measure the progress of the Adult Literacy Strategy, currently being developed.

The report suggests that in an increasingly knowledge-based society and economy, literacy is an issue of common concern to government, industry, individuals and communities alike and that each has their respective role in improving literacy levels.

The Adult Literacy Act and Regulation, the first of its kind in Canada, comes into force in January 2009.  The act calls for the development of an adult literacy strategy in collaboration with other government and non-government agencies.  It also establishes the Manitoba Adult Literacy Program as a component of the strategy to ensure ongoing support is given to agencies offering programs for adult learners.

The consultation report What We Heard will be circulated to groups and individuals who participated in the consultations and is also available on the provincial website at www.gov.mb.ca/adultliteracystrategy.

This past year, the departments of Advanced Education and Literacy; Education, Citizenship and Youth; and Competitiveness, Training and Trade participated in the country's first Pan-Canadian Interactive Literacy Forum, championing workforce literacy.  The Manitoba government has more than doubled funding for adult literacy programs since 1999.

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For more background information on MLA's consultation on the Adult Literacy Act, go to http://mla.mb.ca/news/consultation_adult_literacy.