ABC Life Literacy Canada

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(Toronto, ON, March 26, 2009) – ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation is pleased to release an official statement following the provincial budget announcement made by the Government of Ontario. Featured amongst today’s news concerning the budget is that literacy and basic skills programs will receive a major funding boost. ABC CANADA congratulates Minister of Finance and Minister of Revenue Dwight Duncan and John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities for their leadership in recognizing the value of workplace literacy. ABC CANADA looks forward to working with them on planning for literacy and basic skills training to ensure the support continues after the two-year framework.

“This is a landmark day for the literacy and basic skills cause in Ontario. The first time in over a decade that community literacy organizations have seen an increase and that workplace literacy has been funded in Ontario,” said Margaret Eaton, President, ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation. “ABC CANADA is committed to raising the importance of workers upgrading their reading, writing and math skills. We applaud the Government of Ontario and our literacy partners for delivering this major step forward. Today’s news will provide the people of Ontario with a greater opportunity to train and upgrade their skills and education as they meet the demands of the new knowledge economy” said Eaton.

ABC CANADA has been working with the Ontario Literacy Coalition along with the Ontario Federation of Labour and the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters to support the government as they seek solutions to the literacy challenge. All organizations have helped elevate the important case for workplace literacy funding in Ontario.

Statistics Canada research has shown that improving the literacy skills of working adults challenged with low literacy would have a significant impact on productivity, innovation, quality, labour market outcomes, income and lifelong learning. In the current economic state, improving literacy and basic skills would allow workers to switch jobs or transition into new ones if displaced.

The benefits of an investment into workplace literacy and basic skills training also extend to employers. They include: Increased profitability through improved customer service, better employee morale, engagement and retention, a culture of learning and a healthier workforce, reduced EI premiums and turnover costs, highly skilled workforce from which to choose, and a higher competitiveness internationally and within its own industry sector.

• Many people misinterpret low literacy as illiteracy. In reality, very few Canadian adults are truly illiterate (unable to read or write). The main concern is regarding the millions who possess some literacy skills, yet who are below the internationally accepted standard for coping in a modern society.
• The International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey (IALSS) suggests that the minimum skill level for coping with the demands of everyday life and work in a complex, advanced society is Level 3, roughly equivalent to successful secondary-school completion; 42% of Canadians fall below this standard.
• Low literacy affects educated and employed people too: People considered to be at IALSS Levels 1 and 2 are typically employed, with equal distribution in low, medium and high-income jobs.
• Employer spending on training in Canada lags significantly behind international competitors. For instance, average spending per employee in Canada was $824 in 2003 compared to American spending of $1,135 per worker.
• The payoff for investing in basic skills like literacy and numeracy pay significant dividends: The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) estimates that for each one percent above the OECD average a country is, it experiences 2.5% greater labour productivity and a 1.5% higher GDP.
• Canadian firms’ spending on training has been stagnant at approximately 1.6% of the payroll for several years.

For further information on adult literacy across Canada please visit www.abc-canada.org

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Anthony Alfred
Director, Communications
ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation
Phone: 1-800-303-1004 ext. 126
Mobile: (647) 449-7973
Email: aalfred@abc-canada.org

Karen Benner
Manager, Corporate Communications
ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation
Phone: 1-800-303-1004 ext. 122
Email: kbenner@abc-canada.org