Accompanied by Maurice Labrecque, literacy student at Canadore College and Barb Glass, Coordinator of Academic Upgrading and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs at Canadore College, the OLC's message was clear:

We recommend the Ontario government sustain its investment in adult literacy, including the one-time $90 million over two years announced last year. This funding is required to allow literacy and essential skills providers the ability to help Ontarians secure the skills and training they need to effectively participate in Ontario's new advanced economy, and the potential it holds going forward.

Maurice Labrecque summed up the message perfectly by saying, "People in the workforce like myself, who tried tirelessly to find work on their own, suddenly realized that they didn't have the skills to fill the needs of today's employers. In order to do this, they have to retrain and upgrade their skills to compete in today's job market."

This message was more profound because the OLC, a local literacy program and a literacy student spoke together as a team. "It was wonderful for the OLC and the College to work together," said Barb Glass. "Even better was the fact that a student was able to address the group and really illustrate the effect of the economic slowdown and the impact of programs on an individual person."

The OLC would like to thank our co-presenters and the College Sector Council for their assistance in presenting the message that literacy is essential to improving the economic viability of Ontario and in positively impacting the individual lives of Ontarians.

In order to follow up on these government relations activities, the OLC would like to remind literacy stakeholders of their ability to participate in the Ministry of Finance's online pre-budget consultations. Using messaging from the attached OLC Pre-Budget Submission (Download Related File) unifies and strengthens our message - but please add your local and sector-specific information to any government relations activities in which you partake.

There is still time for literacy organizations, along with key partners, volunteers and learners, to participate in this online process.

This is also a great opportunity to make contact with your local Member of Provincial Parliament. Feel free to use messaging from the OLC Pre-Budget Submission - or send along the entire document with a personal message or cover letter.