moved for leave to introduce Bill C-525, an act to amend the Excise Tax Act (literacy materials).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to introduce this private members' bill that seeks to eliminate the goods and services tax on materials used in literacy development.
Literacy is the fundamental building block in our ability to participate fully in all aspects of citizenship, our daily lives, and the economic life of the country. Despite our high literacy rate, almost 50% of Canadians still have difficulty working with words and numbers.
This bill is designed to complement existing measures to support groups working to improve literacy and to remove an unnecessary barrier from individuals pursuing greater literacy on their own. I hope all members will give this bill their serious consideration and support.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)