Honourable Senators,

According to the International Adult Literacy Survey: Literacy Skills for the Knowledge Society, about 22 percent of adult Canadians fall into the lowest level of literacy category. A further 26 percent are at Level 2—which means they can read, but only handle very simple text that is clearly laid out and in familiar contexts.

As a former teacher myself, I know we have made great strides through education and literacy programs over the years. And I am inspired by the dedication and vigour with which people such as Senator Fairbairn promote literacy issues. Their efforts are recognized and appreciated. But, clearly, as the statistics reveal, much more needs to be done.

According to a recent report by the Canadian Council on Social Development, compared to other countries, Canada has the third largest proportion of youth—10 per cent—with poor literacy skills.

We are well aware of the link between low literacy and a number of social and economic problems, including unemployment, poverty, and crime. Various provincial studies have also shown that low-literacy increases safety risks in the workplace, community and at home. Low literacy levels also reduce the efficiency of our country by limiting opportunities, blocking access to resources and burdening our services, such as the health care system.

It is well-documented that individuals with lower literacy rates have poorer health, are often unaware of appropriate health services and make more visits to health care providers and hospital admissions.

In fact, the health problems are even more basic than that. When the Ontario Public Health Association and Frontier College conducted a study back in 1990, for example, they found that there was a significant level of failure to comply with medical directions, and administering infant formula.

Their data also revealed that nearly half of respondents had incorrectly used over-the-counter and prescription medications as a result of literacy problems. This should not surprise us. The reality for the 22 percent of adult Canadians who have low-level literacy skills is that they simply are unable to look at a medicine label and determine the correct amount of medicine to give to a child.

The last Speech from the Throne made a commitment to work with stakeholders to develop a national literacy initiative. This is crucial. On Literacy Action Day on Parliament Hill, we must vow to put literacy on the political agenda and make literacy a national priority.