Today the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) met in Saskatoon.  We typically meet twice per year to share views on a number of issues we have in common.  A focus of CMEC over the past few years, and continuing, is literacy.  This has been and continues to be a very important issue for me personally.  I have tried to be very supportive to community and provincial organizations who work in the field.  The proceeds of the Dave Hancock Fall Charity Golf Classic for Success by Six each year go to literacy programs.

As Minister of Advanced Education in 2005, we brought people involved in literacy into the fold with other postsecondary stakeholders as we discusssed the future of the postsecondary sector in a process which culminated in the Minister's summit that fall.  Perhaps the most important immediate outcome of that summit was the agreement by all in the room that everybody there belonged in the room, that adult literacy was an important segment of the post secondary or adult learning environment.

CMEC hosted a national forum on literacy last year from a number of sites across the country (including Edmonton).  While it was very successful and brought together many people who have been putting heart and soul into improving literacy rates - we still have a long way to go.  When 36 - 40% of Albertans / Canadians are at level 1 or level 2 literacy there is much more to be done.

One of the challenges is that people tend to think that means we cannot read or write.  It means we do not have the literacy level necessary to be able to participate fully at work and in the community.  That means a loss of human potential which could be building our communities and our society.  That means a significant part of our community are not achieving at their full potential - it impairs their ability to support themselves and their families and contribute back to their community. 

It is in our best interest as a society and community to invest in literacy.  Early learning opportunities and a strong primary education system are key of course, but adults who are able to read to their children; families and communities who value education, make all the difference.  I am glad that CMEC will continue to make this a priority.  As Honourable Kelly Lamrock, Minister of Education, New Brunswick and CMEC chair said "Literacy is more than words.  It is the path to knowledge, opportunity, and full participation in society." 

As we move forward in Alberta with "Inspiring Education: A Dialogue With Albertans", we look to developing a new policy framework for the future of education in our province - but the most important part of the process will be engaging Albertans in the discussion. That means provoking a dialogue which helps us realize as a society that education is fundamental - ensuring young Albertans are well equipped to meet the future challenges and opportunities of a global economy and the future obligations of global citizenship.  We cannot achieve full success in education unless we ensure that our children are inspired to find their passion and finish school by families and communities that value education.

More about our dialogue later.  For tonight - I go back to literacy.  It is the place we must start if we want to make sure that every Albertan has a chance to realize his or her potential, take care of his or her family and contribute back to buiding community.  It is where we must focus if we want our children to value education.

 Tomorrow we start a two day summit on Aboriginal Education.  National and regional leaders of First Nations, Metis and Inuit people are in Saskatoon with us to share challenges and opportunities.  While the work will happen at home it is necessary that the importance of the work is shared nationally and that we share our understandings of the scope of the problem and the best practices currently undertaken.  I will be listening and learning.  Alberta needs to work collaboratively with FNMI leaders to achieve success - our future depends on it.