It's interesting that you mention literacy training, because the federal government just cut funding for literacy training. The provincial government isn't picking up on that.
We have to remember that ASPECT's members are mostly working with multi-barrier clients. If anybody is eligible for EI, they are the most skilled workers. They've already proven they can get and hold down a job. They're already the most skilled workers.
Our agencies are also working with income assistance clients, through funding from the provincial government.
Literacy is a huge issue for a number of multi-barriered people. It's a hidden disability. There are other supports that are required. As we mentioned, there is a lack of day care, lack of transportation, just the presentation.... The federal government no longer funds life skills training. Those are the supports that are needed for people who are multi-barriered. If we were able to recognize incremental steps to success, rather than just “any job is a good job, get them employed”, and then there are no more supports available to them, they're on their own, they're employed—
There needs to be a commitment to some sustainability of employment and to life-long learning, as we addressed earlier.