TORONTO, ON – As part of the Conservative government’s spending cuts announced yesterday, $17.7 million, otherwise available to literacy organizations through Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), will be slashed over the next two years. “ABC CANADA is disappointed that the resources available to literacy programs across this country have been significantly reduced,” says Margaret Eaton, ABC CANADA President. “At a time when there is an unprecedented need for funding to facilitate literacy skills upgrading in Canada, this is most unfortunate.”

The cuts — $5.8 million in 2006-2007, and $11.9 million in 2007-2008 – mean that local and regional literacy programs will no longer be funded by HRSD. The department’s new mandate is to concentrate on national and federal programs alone. This change jeopardizes the delivery of programs to many learners whose literacy challenges hinder their ability to function fully at home, in the community and in the workplace.

Less investment jeopardizes productivity

The reduction in funding comes at a time when the need for investment in literacy has never been greater. Four out of 10 adult Canadians – representing nine million working-age Canadians – are challenged with low literacy, according to findings released in 2005 by Statistics Canada and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. “That’s a statistic that hasn’t changed in more than a decade, and has huge implications for Canadians realizing their potential in the workplace,” adds Eaton.

The level of literacy acumen among a workforce has direct links with a country’s economic welfare. A rise of one per cent in literacy scores relative to the international average is associated with an eventual 2.5-per-cent relative rise in labour productivity and a 1.5-per-cent rise in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per person, according to Statistics Canada.

More dialogue needed

In a September 8, 2006 statement acknowledging International Literacy Day, The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, said: “The Government of Canada remains committed to working collaboratively with provincial and territorial governments and other learning and literacy stakeholders to promote the importance of literacy and to facilitate the creation of opportunities for Canadians to acquire the literacy and other essential skills they need.”

With that in mind, ABC CANADA “welcomes the opportunity to work with the federal government and with literacy organizations across the country to address how the literacy needs of Canadians can best be met,” says Eaton. “Our country’s persistent low literacy demands such attention.”