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Funding boost for literacy and basic skills organizations

$185 million over four years across the province
20170630 Sandals ro
Guelph MPP Liz Sandals announced new funding for provincially funded literacy and basic skills organizations. Mira Clarke of Action Read looks on. Rob O'Flanagan/GuelphToday

Literacy and basic skills organizations in Guelph, Wellington County and across Ontario are getting a significant raise in their funding.

Guelph MPP and President of the Treasury Board, Liz Sandals, visited Action Reads’ new location on Cork Street Friday afternoon to make an announcement that is pertinent to four centres in this part of Ontario. In total, the four will share about $115,000 in additional funding in 2017-18, each seeing a 15 to 16 per cent provincial funding increase.

Action Read will see an additional $30,436 in funding, while the Wellington County Learning Centre in Arthur will see a $22,902 increase.

The Upper Grand District School Board has two continuing education centres within its jurisdiction, one in Dufferin County, the other in Wellington County. The one in Dufferin will receive $16,171 in new funding, while the one in Wellington will receive $45,668 in new money. Funding for a similar program at Conestoga College was part of the Kitchener-Waterloo announcement.

The funding boost is an effort to expand free skills training for adults in Ontario, helping about 80,000 more people in the province over the next four years to improve their literacy, math, and digital skills, giving them better opportunities at employment in a rapidly change economy.

Overall funding for such programs is doubling, to $185 million over four years. Over those four years, funding will increase each year – by $20 million in the first, $25 million in the second, $55 million in the third, and $85 million in the fourth.

Speaking on behalf of Deb Matthews, Deputy Premier and Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, Sandals said Ontario’s literacy and basic skills providers currently help over 40,000 adults improve their reading, brush up on the math and computer skills they need for a better job, to advance educational goals, and participate more fully in the community.

“Essential skills training has become more important than ever,” Sandals said. “We live in a time when our economy is rapidly changing, and becoming more technology and knowledge based.”

She said many are excited about what these changes will bring, but at the same time some are concerned, wondering where their place in the changing economy is, worried they might miss out.

“We need to make sure that nobody is left behind,” she said. “Our government’s vision is for an inclusive economy where people are equipped with the skills they need to find meaningful work to grow their career and to contribute to their communities. Everyone should have opportunities to participate and thrive in the Ontario of today and tomorrow.”

Mira Clarke, executive director of Action Read, said the centre’s 15.5 per cent funding increase is significant, and will allow it to serve many more people. She was very appreciative of the funding boost.

There is more need in the community than Action Read can address, she indicated. The funding will allow the centre to serve more people.

“This will take some pressure off in terms of the being able to serve people,” Clarke said.


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Rob O'Flanagan

About the Author: Rob O'Flanagan

Rob O’Flanagan has been a newspaper reporter, photojournalist and columnist for over twenty years. He has won numerous Ontario Newspaper Awards and a National Newspaper Award.
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