PREMIER CALVERT CALLS FOR REINSTATEMENT OF FEDERAL LITERACY FUNDING

Premier Lorne Calvert expressed concern and disappointment today regarding the recent decision by the federal government to reduce funding for literacy. He is calling upon the federal government to reinstate the funding immediately.

"Termination of the federal government's project funding under the Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills (ALLES) Program is devastating news not only for Saskatchewan but for all provinces and territories," Calvert said.

The Saskatchewan government is assessing the impacts of $820,000 in federal government cuts to provincial adult and family literacy programs and organizations, including the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Literacy Network (SALN), and cuts to the funding of the Saskatchewan Literacy Network (SLN), which is the provincial coalition of non-profit and volunteer literacy agencies.

"Literacy skills are essential to the success of individuals in the labour market and their ability to create a better quality of life for themselves and their families," Minister responsible for Literacy Deb Higgins said. "Federal funding cuts will have a major impact on at-risk individuals and families with low literacy levels and essential skills, who can least afford the cuts to accessible, CBO-delivered literacy programs and services."

Premier Calvert has written to the prime minister and the federal minister of finance requesting an immediate reinstatement of the $170,000 cut from the Saskatchewan Literacy Network as well as the $650,000 in project funding delivered to approximately 20 provincial literacy service organizations who serve up to 2,000 literacy participants.

"Literacy agencies across the province have a very powerful and positive influence on people's lives and Saskatchewan's economy," Calvert said. "A withdrawal of federal funding seriously hampers their ability to build partnerships so vital to service delivery."

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For More Information, Contact:

Jay Branch Media Services Regina Phone: (306) 787-6349 Email: jay.branch@gov.sk.ca Cell: (306) 539-3994

Jacquie McLean Learning Regina Phone: (306) 787-5609 Email: jmclean@sasked.gov.sk.ca Cell: (306) 535-2261