We march together into the new millennium with literacy and lifelong learning riding high on the national agenda, and we must use all our strength and determination to keep them there.

This is an exciting time for the literacy movement in Canada, and NALD would be among the first to recognize the significance of the new technology in the learning and knowledge that will challenge the abilities of all our citizens in their homes, our schools and the workplace.

There are times when each of us may find this a daunting prospect, particularly those who need help and encouragement to strengthen and expand their skills to be able to fully participate in and contribute to our national life. We have made real progress on the ground across Canada, and everyone should take pride in those achievements.

As we plan for the future with exciting initiatives, it is interesting to review some of the milestones since I entered the Senate in l984 and began my own literacy journey which now has become the cause of my life.

1984-86: Senate Youth Committee urges National Literacy Campaign.

1987: I launch first Parliamentary Literacy Debate in Senate. Southam News and Peter Calamai produce "Broken Words" - Canada's first functional measurement of adult literacy showing 25% in difficulty with basic literacy skills. Peter Gzowski starts annual fundraising golf tournaments.

1988: Federal Government creates National Literacy Secretariat, beginning outstanding partnerships with provinces, territories, business, unions, educators, community organizations, provincial coalitions and national literacy groups - Frontier College, Laubach Literacy Canada, Movement for Canadian Literacy, NALD, La Fédération canadienne pour l=alphabétisation en français and ABC Canada.

1989: Statistics Canada completes in-depth survey indicating 33% of adults have varying degrees of difficulty with routine literacy tasks.

1990: United Nations International Literacy Year begins decade of awareness.

1993: Federal commitment reaffirmed by restoration of NLS funding and appointment of myself as the first Minister with Special Responsibility for Literacy. MCL launches Parliament Hill's first Literacy Action Day.

1995: OECD International Adult Literacy Survey tells Canada more than 40% of adults share varying degrees of functional literacy problems with vulnerability in workplace and family. Ben Wicks launches his series of Born To Read books for millions of children and their families each year.

1997: Federal budget increases NLS funding by one-third for workplace and family literacy.

1999: ABC launches first Family Literacy Day, January 27.

Last September the Federal Government launched its program for the new millennium with a Throne Speech that conveyed as never before in our history an understanding that the future success of our country and its citizens must rest on a foundation of literacy and the opportunity for all citizens to access lifelong learning. Any one of us could have written these words from that document:

"The Government will forge partnerships with other governments , public and private sector organizations, and Canadian men and women to establish a national action plan on skills and learning for the 21st century. This plan will focus on lifelong learning, address the challenge of poor literacy among adults, and provide citizens with the information they need to make good decisions about developing their skills."

That is our vision for a culture of learning, for the tiniest child through to the end of a lifetime. I know we are up for the task because the literacy movement has never been stronger. I want to congratulate all of the volunteers, tutors, learners and partners for your magnificent contribution to the "cause". I am proud to march with you and thank you for the friendships which have enriched my life.

Senator Joyce Fairbairn was born in Lethbridge, Alberta. She graduated with a BA in English from the University of Alberta in 1960 and with a BA in Journalism from Carleton University in 1961. Her career in journalism began in 1961 at the Ottawa Journal. She also worked at the Parliamentary bureau of F.P. Publications where she served until joining the Prime Minister's Office in 1970. From 1970 to 1984, she worked in senior legislative and communications positions to the Right Honourable Pierre Elliot Trudeau. On June 29, 1984, she was appointed to the Senate of Canada to represent Alberta (Lethbridge). In 1993, Senator Fairbairn was appointed to the Privy Council as the first woman Leader of the Government in the Senate and the first and only Minister with Special Responsibility for Literacy. She is a key participant in Annual Literacy Action Day on Parliament Hill, International Literacy Day, and Family Literacy Day. Also a devoted supporter of the Peter Gzowski golf tournaments for literacy.

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