The National Literacy Secretariat (NLS) will receive an additional $7 million this year to fund projects and programs that promote literacy across Canada.

The 31 % increase in funding to the NLS is part of the federal government's 1997/98 budget, announced by the Honourable Paul Martin, Ministerof Finance, on February 18. The NLS was created in 1988 to promote research, training, and concerted action towards the development of Canadians' literacy skills.

Funding for the NLS will increase to $29.3 million. "This increased support will assist Canadians in their transition to the new knowledge-based economy by building a strong foundation of basic literacy and communication skills. . . Increased literacy is at the heart of the lifelong learning needed for individuals and organizations to adapt in the changing global economy," says the budget plan.

The NLS will focus the additional funds in two areas:

• Family literacy: promoting family literacy projects, supporting research, and funding the development of Canadian-made family reading materials.

• Workplace literacy: developing more Canadian-made workplace learning materials; training specialized workplace literacy practitioners; developing pilot workplace programs; and funding new areas of research.

The NLS will also place increased emphasis on further developing three support mechanisms to strengthen the Canadian literacy community:

• Research into the nature of low literacy; the range of skills among Canadians; and how to address needs at different skill levels.

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