| NATIONAL NEWS | . . . The Movement for Canadian Literacy |
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| By Linda Mitchell, Executive Director Literacy B. C. | |
| In March 1997, I was appointed as the Literacy BC representative to the Movement for Canadian Literacy (MCL) for a two-year term. MCL recently conducted an Organizational Needs Assessment to find out how it can better serve the literacy community in Canada. On March 20, a new constitution and bylaws were passed at the MCL Annual General Meeting. The new bylaws are designed to make MCL a more effective national voice for provincial and territorial literacy organizations. | |
| The bylaws also created a permanent Learners Committee. Brenda
Lee Giles was appointed to represent Literacy B.C. on this committee. The
Learners Committee has already begun its work. It has advised national groups
such as the Consumers Association of Canada and the Canadian Council of Grocery
Distributors on ways to make material and services "literacy friendly."
MCL has continued to work hard at keeping literacy on the public policy
agenda in the past few months. We have made presentations to the Standing
Committee for Employment Insurance Reform (Bill C-12) and the House of Commons
Standing Committee on Finance.
MCL also helped to coordinate "Literacy Action Day," on March
19 on May 1997 Parliament Hill. Along with MCL board members from across Canada
and the representatives of other national organizations, I had the opportunity
to lobby Members of Parliament about the importance of literacy and what they
can do to support it. | |
| Movement for Canadian Literacy  |
Craig McNaughton, Executive Director |
