Statement made on 24 March 2010 by Senator Maria Chaput
Hon. Maria Chaput:
Honourable senators, this year's Adult Learners' Week in Canada is taking place from March 20 to 26. I would like to take this opportunity today to remind senators about the literacy and learning challenges facing a considerable number of adults. Many adults are rising to the challenges, and are tackling them with courage and tenacity. We must acknowledge their efforts.
However, there are still too many adult Canadians who do not have the knowledge or basic skills needed in a rapidly changing world. The International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey showed that 42 per cent of all working-age Canadian adults have a hard time functioning in a society and knowledge-based economy like ours. They have a hard time understanding what they read.
But the situation with francophones in Canada is even more worrisome. Fifty-six per cent of adults whose first language is French have a hard time understanding what they read, compared to 39 per cent among adults whose first language is English.
As one learner at the International Conference on Adult Education, held in Brazil in December 2009, noted:
We, the learners are taking risks in our everyday lives; it is time for our governments to take some risks and recognize the need for lifelong learning.
It is time to highlight the importance of adult learning and literacy. With the support of our federal government, we can work together to raise the profile of adult learners and to promote lifelong learning. Lifelong learning is certainly something to celebrate.