Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to add my support the MCL's National Family Literacy Conference and welcome participants to Ottawa.
Given my own work promoting literacy in my riding through the community academic services program, I recognize the importance of reaching out to those who are unable to enjoy the printed media.
Children in non-reading families are more likely than other children to be non-readers as adults. Unless this cycle is broken it can continue for generations.
Schools alone cannot be responsible for establishing citizens as full and comprehensive language users. Literacy development demands participation from the family and the community if citizens are to be strong, effective communicators.
In family literacy programs like those championed by the National Family Literacy Conference, parents and other adult family members learn the importance of reading and writing.
I applaud efforts to meet the literacy needs of parents and their children and I pledge my continued support in eradicating illiteracy in our communities.