The MPs Come to LPQ
As is customary, LPQ hosted a program following the AGM. This year we were very pleased to welcome guests to listen to a panel of politicians and experts in the field.

"Your MPs and Literacy" was a panel presentation which featured Clifford Lincoln, MP Lac St. Louis; Marlene Jennings, MP NDG - Lachine; Craig McNaughton, Executive Director of the Movement for Canadian Literacy. The panel was moderated by Dennis Trudeau of Newswatch CBC.

Craig McNaughton spoke first and talked about MCL and Literacy Action Day (LAD) held in February with the primary purpose of raising awareness at the Federal government level in order to discuss the role of the Federal government in literacy.

He spoke also about the National Literacy Secretariat and its impact, referring specifically to IALS and its effects.

The next speaker was Marlene Jennings whose early concerns about literacy came as a result of a high drop out rate and the fact that Anglophones of a certain generation did not have the French language skills to be employable. As they were Canadian citizens, they had no opportunity for this language training which is offered only to immigrants.

This led her to participate in LAD last February when she learnt more about literacy and was prompted to appeal to her colleagues in Ottawa to take part in this panel discussion. Fortunately for us, Mr. Lincoln responded very positively. Marlene also pointed out that although Mr.Gagliano could not be present, he obviously considered the event and the cause important and sent his Assistant, Ms. Izzo, to represent him in presenting the awards to the winner of the LPQ Poster Contest.

Clifford Lincoln opened his comments with a tribute to Sen. Joyce Fairbairn for her role in sensitizing MPs to literacy and the issues surrounding it. Most MPs, he said, were not aware until then.

Mr. Lincoln referred to "innocent ignorance" on the part of most Canadians who are equally unaware. He was very compelling in speaking about how lucky we are to be able to transpose print into messages and gain meaning from these messages.

Money, Mr. Lincoln observed, is not the only answer, and he wondered what the solutions may be. He raised a very important point as he referred to the theme of citizenship observing that people whose literacy skills are weak need the opportunities to be "full citizens."

He called for more community influence and greater input of MNAs and Councilors as people in Provincial and Municipal governments are much closer to the people than are MPs. He suggested targeted projects--community-based initiatives which are measurable and realistic.

Following the presentations, participants around the table raised key issues including literacy's cost in dignity for people whose skills are lacking. There was a call for a paradigm shift which would naturally and positively shift values.

One participant recalled that in the early days of literacy, it was situated in Citizenship. She observed that the subsequent shift from there to HRDC represented a reactionary move, for it narrowed the focus of literacy. Now we must call for a plan that includes literacy in all Ministries.

A learner in the audience spoke eloquently as she shared her experience of seeking literacy services. She spoke of her pride in now being able to read "a little bit" and also of her frustrations at being told by her Welfare officer that she had used the maximum number of hours allowed her for school.