Up to 30% of adult Islanders cannot read well enough to deal with everyday printed materials. What will your government do to meet the needs of adult learners?

Last year, the Ministers of Education, Health and Economic Development committed $300,000 new funding to enable the Institute of Adult and Community Education to hire instructors for the Literacy/Adult Basic Education Program that is offered across the province. More than 600 adult Islanders have had the opportunity to attend literacy and upgrading classes, free of charge, province wide each year for the last two years. The PC government will continue to ensure that those in need of such a program have that opportunity.

At least 60% of Islanders have trouble reading government forms and documents. Will your government adopt a policy to use plain language and clear writing in all public documents?

We all know how difficult it is to read documents that have been drafted using legal terminology and we agree that a greater effort must be made to ensure all Islanders can easily read public documents.The PC government appreciates the work done by the PEI Literacy Alliance to help ensure plain language is used in documents. We have used that service. We know the importance of making government open, accessible and accountable to everyone, and will work to make this goal a reality.

Low literacy levels are linked to higher health care, correctional and social services costs. What plans are in place to improve this situation?

We are always looking for ways

to improve the health and well being of Islanders. We have formed cross-departmental partnerships as well as partnerships with the Federal Government to help fund programs that will ensure all adult Islanders have the opportunity to increase their literacy skills leading to healthier, safer and more secure futures for all. The PC government recognizes that low literacy levels adversely affect the entire province. The Literacy/Adult Basic Education Program has provided, free of charge, literacy training to 1,250 people since its inception in 1998. This program brought in by the PC government has a budget of $1,000,000. Our government is determined to see our literacy levels increase and hope to see evidence of this within our society, as well as when the next international survey is done in 2001.

The results of the first International Adult Literacy Survey clearly show that countries that provide training in the workplace have more literate employees. How will your party ensure that workplace education programs are available?

Workplace education is an important tool, not only to confront low literacy but to ensure the Island workforce is able to face the challenges of global markets and new technologies. We have established Workplace Education PEI by bringing together a broad range of community partners and funding partners. Since 1998, 31 programs have been offered to employed workers and EI eligible trades people at no cost to the learner. This initiative provides the learning opportunities for increasing literacy skills necessary for businesses to succeed in highly competitive markets. We will continue to support Workplace Education PEI and pave the way for further training.