New Assistant Deputy Minister for Literacy

Premier Brian Tobin announced the appointment of Ms. Luanne Leamon as Assistant Deputy Minister for Literacy in the Department of Education effective January 1, 1999. For the last year she has been on special assignment with the Literacy Strategic Planning Unit where she has been responsible for working with stakeholders in the development of a Strategic Plan on literacy for the province. Ms. Leamon began her work in government in 1979 as social policy advisor to the premier. From 1985 to 1998 she served as Assistant Deputy Minister, Women's Policy Office, Executive Council. Ms. Leamon holds bachelors degrees in English and Philosophy and a Masters Degree in Philosophy, all from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Atlantic Region Coalitions' Forum
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia
September 18-20, 1998

The Forum was attended by 6 delegates from Newfoundland and Labrador, 5 from each of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, and 12 from Nova Scotia, the host province. Also in attendance were Craig McNaughton, Movement for Canadian Literacy, and Adrian Papanek, National Literacy Secretariat.

The Objectives of the Forum were:

1. Develop understanding and awareness among provincial literacy representatives, executive directors, and board members pertaining to literacy activities, issues, concerns, practices, policies and funding;
   
   
2. Create support among regional coalitions;
   
   
3. Establish an on-going network system among Atlantic Provinces literacy organizations;
   
   
4. Develop a co-ordinated response to better address the literacy needs of the Atlantic Region by identifying common interests and issues, and establishing on-going communications links with provincial coalitions, literacy organizations, agencies, and institutions;
   
   
5. Enhance the efforts of coalitions and service delivery systems

Format

Through large and small group discussion, issues pertaining to funding, provincial challenges, the IALS Report, and opportunities for collaboration were addressed.

Outcomes of the Forum

1. It was an excellent opportunity for literacy educators in the Atlantic Region to get to know one another.
   
   
2. Sharing information by the delegates helped put the literacy organization in each province/region in perspective.
   
   
3. There were more similarities than differences among the literacy organizations, in terms of changes that were taking place, struggles for funding, and meeting other challenges.
   
   
4. There was a commitment on the part of those attending to initiate and continue a network of communication and cooperation.