Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today, all Members of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight will be making the case for literacy in our Members' statements and during oral questions.
Mr. Speaker, in discussing the definition of literacy, the Literacy Council has suggested, and I quote,
"We live in an information based society which demands increasingly sophisticated literacy scales. Literacy is no longer defined by the basic ability to read, but rather how people use written information to function in society. This changes our assumptions about literacy and its links to broader social, economic and political issues."
Mr. Speaker, not long ago, Members of the Standing Committee on Social Programs met with representatives of the Northwest Territories Literacy Council, along with a broad cross-section of literacy advocates and practitioners. They presented us with a paper, which outlined why this government needs to develop and adopt a comprehensive government-wide literacy strategy.
They showed us the need for the Government of the NWT to really make a commitment to, and an investment in, the people of the Northwest Territories by making literacy the keystone of all of our initiatives.
Literacy is strongly linked to social development in terms of reduced crime, reduced unemployment and poverty, and reduced reliance on income support. Mr. Speaker, there is also a very strong tie between literacy and the economy, in terms of higher employment, income and increased productivity.
Our strategy must run through all departments, but those on the social envelope in particular should take the lead and pull everyone together in the development of the strategy, making sure the coordination is strong.
Above all, there must be meaningful consultation with practitioners like the Northwest Territories Literacy Council, other NGOs, communities and aboriginal groups.
Mr. Speaker, we have heard that project based funding has actually destabilized the whole area of literacy training. The only practical solution is to establish multi-year funding for programs. Obviously, this also requires an effective accountability framework, which includes a meaningful evaluation and monitoring process.
Without a long term commitment to literacy skills development, as part of an economic and social development strategy, a large number of Northerners will be unable to take full advantage of the opportunities just on the horizon right now.
If Northerners do not have the skills to take advantage of new job opportunities, they will simply be filled by southern workers. That is unacceptable.
Mr. Speaker, we need this government to commit now to a healthy and literate population. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause