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Sussman described a national research project she carried out between March 2000 and June 2001 under the auspices of Movement for Canadian Literacy (MCL). Her research project is predicated on the assumption that adult literacy rate data influences public policies and programs related to adult literacy issues. Sussman's project was initially designed to re-examine existing literacy rate data from a demographic perspective to answer questions like:

• How old are the majority of adults with low literacy skills?
• Are they currently employed?
• What language do they speak?
• How much education have they had?
• Where do they live?

The study reviewed the literature related to measuring adult literacy rates.

Sussman's presented aspects of her research that challenges some commonly held assumptions about the number and characteristics of Canadian adults who are most likely to have literacy difficulties.

She calls into question the kinds of strategies needed to improve their circumstances and "move the markers" on literacy. This overview of Sussman's research prompted much interesting discussion from the audience.

Health and Literacy at LPQ

The next phase of LPQ's Health and Literacy project is well underway. This phase is aimed at presenting on-site sessions at hospitals and other healthcare facilities. One purpose of these presentations is to provide healthcare workers with clear information that will make them aware of the reality that some of their patients/clients may well have literacy problems.

Another of our aims is to provide these frontline workers with practical tools which will help them identify and help this clientele. To date we have visited two sites at the Montreal General Hospital and have scheduled a number of visits to other sites.

Foundational Training in Family Literacy

The Centre for Family Literacy (Edmonton, AB), in collaboration with St. Francis Xavier University (Antigonish, NS) and family literacy and adult literacy organizations across the country, has developed a Manual for Foundational Training in Family Literacy and an accompanying Facilitator's Guide.

In October a team of 40 trainers drawn from five regions of the country were trained to deliver Foundational Training in Family Literacy. Gillian di Vito (LPQ) and Wendy Seys (Yamaska Literacy Council) were part of the 10-member team from the Quebec-Ontario region. They are now qualified to provide this training in the province. Training is expect to be offered sometime next summer. LPQ will provide details in Literacy Clips as they become available.

ABC CANADA / Honda Family Literacy Grants

Last year the Honda dealers across Canada again supported family literacy by making a donation to ABC CANADA for each "Odyssey Car Play Kit" distributed to their customers. As in the past, ABC has distributed these funds to each provincial and territorial coalition. This year, LPQ received a contribution of $9,950 which was shared by four of our member groups.

Successful recipients were:

• Family Ties, New Carlysle, Quebec
• Montreal Children's Library, Montreal
• Quebec Federation of Home & School Associations, Born to Read, Montreal
• C.S. du Littoral, Parents as Learning Partners, Sept Iles, Quebec