LPM has impact: province increases commitment to literacy

On April 11 th, the provincial government announced an increase of $500,000 to adult literacy. In the past 18 months funding for literacy education has increased by $800,000.

In 2005, LPM made the decision to meet with cabinet ministers on a regular basis. A practitioner committee, LPM Board members, and LPM staff Lorri and Rob have visited several cabinet ministers or their deputy ministers to present concerns, solutions, and the urgency to invest in adult literacy upgrading and related initiatives.

As a result of one of these meetings, LPM’s Plain Language team worked on the Manitoba Housing Application.

In the 2006 budget, the government increased funds available to aboriginal apprenticeship and rural training programs – meeting a need that LPM had highlighted in the meetings.

Appointment of Literacy Minister

In September 2006, for the first time in our history, a Minister of Literacy, the Honourable Diane McGifford, was named. Following this, Ms McGifford proposed an Adult Literacy Act. It had passed second reading and was on the floor when the election was called.

LPM has promoted Literacy as a unified policy stream cutting across various departments. Though the government has not acted on that recommendation yet, it has been very receptive to LPM’s Literacy Steering Committee. This committee, which has two representatives suggested by the premier, has been working hard over the past year to prepare resolutions to present to the minister. LPM will be conducting a consultation with those in attendance at the literacy conference on May 4 th for input on the draft.

Last fall, as a response to the IALSS statistics release, LPM called for an investment of a million dollars over four years to expand the network of literacy programs in northern and rural areas.

Literacy spending

The half million announced by the minister on April 11 will increase her budget for adult literacy by 25%! Minister McGifford indicated $500,000 will be used to expand the hours of class time and increase the quality of instruction for adult literacy learners. An additional $150,000 will be used to continue to developing qualification guidelines and new training curriculum for literacy instructors and to raise awareness about literacy issues.

Literacy improvement is the essential stepping stone for thousands of adults for entry into the mainstream job market. LPM is committed to advancing literacy in Manitoba through our work with government, business, communities and you!

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