Literacy in the News 
Vancouver Sun Reporters Win 2009 Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit
Toronto, ON – August 31, 2009 – ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation is pleased to announce that Vancouver Sun reporters, Suzanne Ahearne, Darah Hansen, Catherine Rolfsen and Denise Ryan, are the winners of the 2009 Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit (PGLAM). These four writers were awarded for their five-part series, The Face of Literacy.
The Face of Literacy was chosen as this year’s PGLAM winner because of its in-depth analysis of the various literacy issues in Canada, including prison literacy and aboriginal literacy. The series featured the stories of five individuals as they developed their literacy skills.
The PGLAM was founded by ABC CANADA in 1993 in honour of the late veteran broadcaster and journalist Peter Gzowski – a passionate champion for literacy. For the last 15 years ABC CANADA and leaders in the media industry have selected the recipients from entries by Canadian journalists. The PGLAM is awarded to a journalist(s) whose work has enhanced public understanding, support for, and awareness of the literacy cause.
A Vancouver Sun representative will be awarded with the PGLAM at a dinner ceremony in Toronto on October 7, 2009. In addition to the award, the reporters will receive $1000 to donate to a literacy organization of their choice.
For more information on the Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit, please visit, www.abc-canada.org.
ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation is Canada’s private-sector voice championing adult literacy. The national charity envisions a Canada where individuals, regardless of their circumstances, are provided the opportunities to increase the skills that prepare people for realizing their full potential at work, at home and in the community. To learn more about literacy, visit www.abc-canada.org.
Ready or Not ... Perspectives on Literacy and Essential Skills in this Economic Downturn
Based on interviews with literacy practitioners across Canada, this report by the Movement for Canadian Literacy, provides baseline information on what's happening with literacy programming and supports throughout Canada during this period of layoffs and economic uncertainty. You can also go to MCL's website at www.literacy.ca for more information and to find out about the recent literacy layoffs in BC and the new investments in literacy in Ontario.
 On June 3rd, Literacy Alberta in partnership with Lougheed House Foundation, held the 3rd annual Stepping Stones to Literacy scholarship award presentation and luncheon.
This year’s winner is Ana Mullen, nominated by the Calgary Public Library, Reading Advantage Program. It was a very special day for Ana, her family and friends, and her tutor of more than 8 years, Peter Cutting.
45 people were in attendance, including The Honourable Peter Lougheed, former premier of Alberta, Manmeet Bhullar, MLA Calgary – Montrose and parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology and Dr. Max Foran, historian and author.
It is hoped that this Calgary event will be expanded in the future to include nominees from throughout the province.
Canadian Council on Learning releases State of E-Learning in Canada / L’état de l’apprentissage virtuel au Canada
Especially in difficult economic times, e-learning can help prepare Canadians to meet the challenges of an uncertain future. Yet, despite progress made in many educational and workplace settings, Canada’s levels of adoption of e-learning have been significantly slower than predicted.
Today, the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL) releases State of E-Learning in Canada: a research report that examines e-learning’s effectiveness, successes and challenges in Canada; and related initiatives worldwide.
Complementing the report, CCL’s website also features articles profiling how e-learning is used in Canada’s educational institutions and the workplace.
For the full report or to read the articles, please visit www.ccl-cca.ca.
To read the news release, please click here.
Literacy Alberta and Community Learning Network present "Literacy and Learning Symposium 2009: Inspiring Leadership"
October 21 to 24, 2009
Red Deer Lodge Hotel and Conference Centre - Red Deer, AB
Literacy - more than words
Summary of Input on a Literacy Framework for Alberta
This document summarizes comments from 539 individuals on a literacy framework for Alberta, provided during the Alberta Literacy Forum held in Edmonton from April 14 to 16, 2008. The Forum was Alberta’s contribution to the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) Pan-Canadian Interactive Literacy Forum, which involved all of Canada’s provinces and territories holding fora in their jurisdictions to create a pan-Canadian dialogue on literacy. » Full document
» To read Literacy Alberta's response, please click here.
Literacy Matters: a call for action
TD Bank Financial Group. This goal of the following report is to raise literacy awareness in Canada. Literacy is too complex and broad a topic to address in one report, however our goal is to generate discussion about improving literacy outcomes.
» Literacy Matters PDF...
» To participate in an upcoming Literacy Alberta Think Tank, please contact office@literacyalberta.ca or telephone 403-410-6990.
A Vision for a Health Literate Canada
Canadian Public Health Association's (CPHA's) Expert Panel on Health Literacy found a majority of Canadian adults do not have the skills
needed to respond to daily health information demands. Low health literacy is associated with poor health.
The situation in Canada is critical. » Full report
Measuring Up: Canadian Results of the 2006 OECD PISA Study
15 year old Canadian students participated in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) that measures how well they are prepared for the challenges faced in today's knowledge-based society. PDF Statistics Canada, March 2008.
Building community literacy from the ground up - April 2008
Imagine reaching the age of 60 without knowing how to read. Suddenly, your husband loses his sight and you're the only one around to work out the labels on his prescription bottles, along with the bills and bank statements which he always took care of.
Read about it in the Vancouver Sun
State of Learning in Canada: Unlocking Canada's Potential - April 2008
Canadians recognize the value of adult learning and training to their personal, social and economic lives. Lifelong learning is an essential ingredient of a vibrant democracy.
» Canadian Council on Learning Summary Full Report
ABC CANADA unveils plan to address low adult literacy - April 2008
Canada’s Challenge: Workforce Skills for Global Competitiveness, a panel exchanged views on Canada’s workforce preparedness for global competition.
Margaret Eaton, President of ABC CANADA, unveiled the organization’s new plan in addressing this country’s significant adult literacy challenge.
» Details Powerpoint Presentation
A Police Focus on Literacy - Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police - April 2008
Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS) Deputy Chief John Domm hosted very successful and well-attended police focus groups and a one-day workshop in Thunder Bay, on March 18-19, 2008, about targeting crime with literacy.
The purpose of the focus groups was to obtain input from front-line officers, supervisors and investigators on appropriate roles for the police to play when dealing with people who may have literacy challenges. A high percentage of people who are convicted of criminal offences have low literacy skills. Low literacy can prevent a person’s understanding of the criminal justice system and processes.
» Full Article
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