The National Scene

1. New government, new priorities: what does it mean for literacy?

As a result of the recent federal election, the Ministry responsible for literacy in Canada has been renamed Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC). The new Department reintegrates the former Human Resources and Skills Development Canada with Social Development Canada. The new Cabinet Minister responsible for Literacy is Diane Finley.

You can find more information about the new Minister at www.dianefinley.ca

For an update on election-related issues and other literacy developments at the national level, see Federal Literacy Facts from the Movement for Canadian Literacy (MCL), and the Winter 2006 issues of Literacy.ca and Learners in Action.

Changes at the NLS

Lynne Lalonde is the new Acting Director of the National Literacy Secretariat (NLS). The
former Director of the NLS, Donna Kirby, is now Acting Director General, Adult Learning
and Literacy Directorate. (HRSDC)

2. The 2006 Census - A National Call to Action

Attention all literacy practitioners: Statistics Canada needs your help!

Tuesday, May 16, 2006, is national Census Day. Approximately 31 million people in Canada in 12.7 million households will take part.

Statistics Canada has developed a Teacher’s Kit as a resource for use in elementary, intermediate, secondary and adult classes across the country. To assist adult literacy students who may turn to their teachers for guidance, practitioners can also order free of charge, a special 2006 Census Adult Basic Education/Literacy Kit designed as a useful classroom resource.

The 2006 Census Adult Basic Education/Literacy Kit is designed for instructors working with adult learners, particularly in ABE and ESL. The kit consists of an Instructor Guide and 15 learner handbooks, and additional learner handbooks can be ordered separately at 15 handbooks per package.

Full details about all the components of the Teacher’s Kit are on the Statistics Canada website.

To order the ABE/Literacy Kit in either electronic or paper format, use the Teacher's Kit order form

You can also download an electronic copy of the Kit in pdf.