PREMIER SHOWS SUPPORT FOR LITERACY AT REGINA FESTIVAL

Premier Lorne Calvert showed his support for literacy by attending a model literacy festival at IPSCO Place in Regina Thursday morning.  These festivals are a new model for literacy promotion in Saskatchewan communities.

“SaskSmart Community Literacy Festivals bring together literacy service providers, business, learners, the public and community based organizations to work together to support literacy development across the province,” Calvert said.  “By creating new interest and awareness of the importance of literacy, we’re going to make life better for Saskatchewan families.”

Throughout the year, a series of community literacy festivals will be held across the province based on the model demonstrated today.  Business and community-based organizations will participate in the festival by hosting booths that offer fun and interactive literacy activities.

The festivals will raise awareness of literacy, showcase literacy in all walks of life and for all ages, and profile the many different ways of developing literacy.  Bringing these diverse partners together to promote workplace and family literacy is the essence of community-based literacy.

“I want to recognize and extend my appreciation to the provincial and local partners for their significant commitment to participate in the festivals,” Calvert said.  “The unprecedented support that the partners show for literacy serves as an excellent example for how all sectors in the province can ensure that Saskatchewan is the best place to live, work and build a strong future.”

Council of the Federation Award for Literacy 2006 recipient, Carey Rigby-Wilcox, also addressed the festival participants.  “Reading has allowed me to have a sense of freedom, giving me the ability to have choices in my life,” Rigby-Wilcox said.  “I am grateful to my literacy service provider and tutor, and to prove their time and dedication was not wasted, I am doing all I can for literacy.”

Additional Information is attached.  For more information regarding the SaskSmart Community Literacy Festivals visit www.sasksmart.sk.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Caroline MacMurchy
Saskatchewan Literacy Commission
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2663
Email: cmacmurchy@slc.gov.sk.ca 

Kathy Hancock
Learning
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1305
Email: Kathy.hancock@sasked.gov.sk.ca