Last week Decoda Literacy Solutions advised the P.G. Literacy Advisory Committee, that there will be a severe loss of funding for the local Literacy Prince George project. The Minister of Education, Mr. Peter Fassbender advised us of the government's decision, even though the Select Standing Committee on Finance recommended that this provincial initiative be funded to a working level annually.
Here in Prince George, this project is in its sixth year, and is responsible for co-ordination and literacy networking, advocating for literacy, and the delivery of programs that are requested by our community. Programs such as Kitchen Table Learning, Plain and Clear Language and Design, as well as the Emotional Literacy Series are examples. Funds have been accessed through the Forrest Legacy Fund that support the delivery of innovative and requested programming to both children and adults in Prince George.
We are committed to hopefully continuing this project through the possible acquisition of alternate funding, as we believe that literacy is essential for our community. The loss of even one resource for literacy is not acceptable. Statistics in Canada indicate that more than 40 per cent of Canadians lack the necessary skills to thrive in modern society.
People with improved literacy skills are far more able to be fully participating citizens, both within the community and the economy in general. Literacy impacts our lives in many areas; our health, our ability to handle our finances, our involvement in civic affairs, and indeed, our life.
If you believe, as we do, that funding should be restored, please write, email or call your MLA to express your opinion.
Helen Domshy
Literacy outreach co-ordinator
Literacy Prince George
