FREDERICTON (GNB) – The following statement was today issued by Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Danny Soucy on the occasion of Literacy Day in New Brunswick, Wednesday, April 17:

Literacy is an essential skill in rebuilding a stronger economy. It provides the foundation for life- long learning and is often the gateway to obtaining skills required for employment.

That is why we continue to support community-based literacy initiatives including community adult learning centres and partners such as Laubach Literacy New Brunswick, la Fédération d'alphabétisation du Nouveau-Brunswick, the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick and National Adult Literacy Database.

Our literacy teachers, volunteers and employers all make significant contributions to help us enhance literacy in New Brunswick. Through these efforts, and through collaboration, we are helping make literacy a reality for many New Brunswickers.

On New Brunswick Literacy Day we also take the time to recognize some of these contributions through the Council of the Federation Literacy Awards. The 13 premiers and territorial leaders created the awards in 2004 to recognize the importance of literacy as an essential building block to a vibrant society and economy.
 
This year Elizabeth Cormier and Maria (Candy) Mateo have each received the award. They have been recognized for outstanding progress and for overcoming adversity in their adult learning.
 
This year, for the first time, the council is awarding each recipient $150, with matching funds being donated in their respective names to a non-profit adult literacy organization. This year the organizations are the Saint John Literacy Exchange and Apprentissage pour adultes Chaleur inc.

I am inspired by the good work being done throughout New Brunswick and I am equally as inspired by those learners who are taking the necessary steps to educate themselves for a brighter tomorrow.


17-04-13