In the 2001 Speech from the Throne, the federal government recognized our literacy challenges, and promised to work with the provinces and territories and the voluntary sector to "launch" a "national literacy initiative, as part of a comprehensive Skills and Learning Agenda. Over the past months, the consultative, research and policy development phase of the Skills and Learning Agenda has been progressing. However, as of this date no substantial commitment a National Literacy Initiative has been made.

Although MCL recognizes that the events of September 11, 2001, have fundamentally changed the way that our governments must prioritize objectives and spending priorities, we hope that the promise made in this year's Throne Speech is not forgotten.

If anything, the events of September 11th teach us to value education and the freedom of opportunity that is its dividend more than ever before. Furthermore, the severe economic ramifications of terrorism demand that we invest in policies and programs that nurture economic growth and productivity. Literacy programs do both.

In this brief, MCL makes the case for creating a spending envelope in the next federal budget dedicated to the development of a National Literacy Strategy, as part of a comprehensive Skills and Learning Initiative.