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VICTORIA– The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy is British Columbia’s first recipient of the Council of the Federation Literacy Award, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.
“Literacy is a fundamental building block in the future of our province, our economy and our communities,” Campbell said. “I congratulate the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy on their outstanding achievement in displaying leadership and excellence in literacy. The type of innovation and dedication to literacy displayed by these communities is exactly what we need to encourage – not only to meet B.C.’s literacy goals, but to also advance literacy as a priority right across Canada.”
The award recognizes the valuable contributions made in the field of literacy, including family, Aboriginal, health, workplace and community literacy. It is presented to educators, volunteers, learners, community organizations (including non-governmental organizations) and businesses in each province and territory.
On the initiative of Premier Campbell, Canada’s premiers agreed to create this award in 2004, recognizing literacy as being essential to achieving a vibrant, revitalized country where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
The Council of the Federation comprises all 13 provincial and territorial premiers. The Council enables premiers to work collaboratively to strengthen the Canadian federation by fostering a constructive relationship among the provinces and territories, and with the federal government.
The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy was formed in 1999 to promote literacy and lifelong learning throughout the ColumbiaBasin. The Alliance educates the public about the importance of literacy and supports local community actions related to literacy. They have held successful literacy conferences, worked in partnership with local colleges and literacy groups, and covered literacy programs spanning the whole spectrum from preschool programs to workplace literacy.
“It is an honour to be nominated for the Council of the Federation Literacy Award and quite amazing to receive it,” said Leona Gadsby, executive director of the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy. “We’re very grateful to those who made the nomination and to the Premier for his commitment to literacy development. It’s vision at this level of government that has the potential to ensure good basic skills for everyone”.
“Many nominations were received for this first annual award, and I commend everyone involved for their exceptional contribution and commitment in the delivery of literacy programs throughout the province,” Campbell said.
Each recipient of the national award will receive a certificate, signed by the premier of their province or territory, as well as a Council of the Federation Literacy Award medallion.
Premier Campbell also recognized three recipients of Honourable Mention:
The Province has made improving literacy skills one of its five great goals for the coming decade. Over the past year, B.C. has invested nearly $40 million in literacy, including $12 million for libraries, $5 million for community literacy innovation grants, $1.4 million for adult literacy, $5 million for LiteracyNow, $10 million for textbooks, $3 million for Ready, Set Learn – a program for preschoolers, and for $400,000 for the Raise-A-Reader campaign.
For information on the Council of the Federation, visit www.councilofthefederation.ca.
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