88.3 Actions to Deal with Adult Literacy
Whereas, The Southam News Literacy Survey, release in September 1987, revealed that 2.4 million Canadians with some
High School instruction are functionally illiterate; and,
Whereas, These people are greatly handicapped in the increasingly technological society in Canada today, a high level of
literacy being necessary to read with comprehension information on labels, instruction sheets, and operating
manuals; and,
Whereas, Fewer that 10 percent of these people are at present participating in literacy programmes, because they lack
confidence in their ability to learn, and are reluctant to ask for help; and,
Whereas, There is a need for adequate support for existing literacy programmes and new programme initiatives, and Canada
as a whole is responsible for meeting the learning needs of its citizens; and,
Whereas, Literacy programmes conducted in the workplace have proved to be very successful; therefore be it,
RESOLVED, That The National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada:
- To ensure Canada-wide access to literacy programmes and to sponsor television-based outreach
programmes to reach people in their homes at various times of the day; - To institute literacy programmes in federally controlled workplaces and in correctional institutions for both
men and women; - To do everything in its power to encourage workplace literacy programmes everywhere in Canada;
and
be it further,
RESOLVED, That The National Council of Women of Canada encourage all their affiliates and all Provincial and Local Councils
of Women to urge their respective levels of Government to co-operate with the Federal government in the
establishment of literacy programmes so as to promote the greater well-being of the people of Canada; and be
it further,
RESOLVED, That The National Council of Women of Canada urge the Provincial and Local Councils of Women to study the
recommendations outlined in the Cedar Glen Declaration (1987).