Response to the PEI Literacy Alliance Election Questionnaire

In November 2000 we sent a questionnaire to all the PEI candidates in the federal election. There was a poor response. Since the Liberal Party has formed the new government we thought it was important to print their response.

1. What is your party’s commitment to adult literacy and education in Canada?

The Liberal Party is committed to helping Canadians access the education and the tools they need to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex, global economy.

The government funds the National Literacy Secretariat (NLS) which acts as a catalyst and facilitator for literacy issues in Canada. The organization works in cooperation with public and private sector partners in a national effort to create a more literate Canada. The NLS does not fund direct, continuing literacy services. It provides funding for projects to support five mandated activities:

• developing learning materials
• increasing public awareness
• supporting research
• improving coordination and information sharing
• improving access to literacy programs

Through its federal-provincial/territorial funding stream, the NLS works in partnership with each province and territory to sponsor literacy projects that are directed to regional or local needs.

2. What will your government do to meet the needs of adult learners?

With respect to training, the Liberal government has emphasized an approach that shifts the focus from passive income support, towards active employment measures. Such measures include skills development and other programs, which may be used when an employment insurance-eligible client requires skills enhancement or upgrading in order to re-enter the work force. We have reached agreement with all provinces, with the exception of Ontario, to transfer the administration of these training measures under a series of Labour Market Development Agreements.

A new Liberal government will also invest significantly in lifelong learning to position Canadians to be world leaders in the knowledge economy. A new Liberal government will create Registered Individual Learning Accounts to help Canadians finance their learning needs. We will top up the savings of each contributor and we will provide additional support for people with low and modest incomes.

A new Liberal government will also significantly improve loans available for part-time students to help workers learn while they earn. The Liberal government is working with the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) to review barriers to post-secondary education, and identify solutions to enhance access.

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