Statement made on 26 October 2006 by Senator Joyce Fairbairn
Hon. Joyce Fairbairn:
Honourable senators, it has been about five
weeks since we learned about the cuts for literacy, and I wanted to update you
on a few things that are happening across the country, starting with the Yukon
Literacy Coalition. That group will see a third of its budget cut and will most
likely close the coalition down in three or four months.
The Northwest Territories has seen a third of its budget cut, and it is
unable to conduct its outreach programs in that vast territory.
British Columbia will also lose a number of specific activities, particularly
in shared learning for community literacy groups across the province.
Alberta has lost half of its funding. It, too, will be closing down the
delivery of some of its programs that support practitioners, tutors and
learners.
Saskatchewan is in immediate jeopardy of closing its doors. That means it
will take down the system in Saskatchewan, which includes practitioner training,
conferences and a toll-free number for people who want to learn.
Manitoba will lose about 80 per cent of its funding, and the closure of the
coalition is destined for the spring of next year.
Ontario will be severely reducing the availability of its Aboriginal,
francophone, deaf and anglophone adult literacy programs. Family support
programs will be almost non-existent.
The English Literacy Alliance in Quebec faces closure, and the operating
budget for the French part of its program will effectively be cut in half.
Nova Scotia funding for seven projects has ended, which will affect 6,000
Nova Scotians currently participating in literacy programs.
The Prince Edward Island Literacy Alliance, as we know from Senator Callbeck,
is likely to close. That could happen also with the successful summer tutoring
program for kids.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the provincial body will only be able to
survive on surpluses for five months. With it will go numerous programs,
including the literacy hotline, the promotion of family literacy and its work
and initiatives pertaining to workplace literacy.
In Nunavut, all of the training programs for adult educators and literacy
practitioners are gone. Most of the training and support for community-based
groups and organizations are on their way out. Finally, it appears that the
resources to support the delivery of literacy programs to learners are gone, and
the programming in Nunavut Arctic College is at risk.