In addition, Mr. Speaker, I have a petition that is signed by members of my riding of Davenport, members of St. John's, Newfoundland and of the riding of Parry Sound—Muskoka who draw to the attention of the House that literacy is a prerequisite for socio-economic development and that approximately 38% of Canadians have difficulty reading and writing.
Therefore, the petitioners call upon Parliament to reinstate the funding for literacy programs cut by the Conservative government and to undertake a national literacy strategy to ensure that all Canadians have the opportunity to achieve this vital skill.