The provincial government representative confirmed the government’s recognition of the importance of literacy. They have worked with literacy deliverers to build workforce literacy capacity. However, any change in policy would have to originate at the political level.

Labour indicated they would like to see the symposium’s advisory committee work on developing a common vision with which to lobby higher levels of government. They noted that some of the timelines seemed awfully long and called for an early meeting of the advisory committee.

The OLC congratulated the advisory committee and said that the committee would document today’s proceedings. As the funding ends with the symposium, the OLC suggested that the committee could maintain contact via telephone calls and try to include others, but that substantial work will require funding. A number of delegates indicated their willingness to be involved, while others wanted to be kept in the loop via e-mail. Suggestions were made that the advisory committee be enhanced by inviting representation from the public and the non-profit sectors, as well as from other literacy coalitions and the ESL community. A regional approach might help manage the process.