Project Literacy Kelowna

Contributed - Apr 19, 2007 / 11:28 am | Story: 28940

Federal Government Supports Project Literacy Kelowna

No doubt you have been told that Conservative governments do not support social programs or care about social issues. It is patently false information of course but, unfortunately, the way politics is played.

Since becoming Government, Canadians have seen a renewed commitment to stable social funding in areas of homelessness, employment and skills training, women’s resources and arts and culture. Most recently, Budget 2007 committed $3.1 billion for BC health care under the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) and $1.3 billion for BC childcare and post secondary education under the Canada Social Transfer(CST).

The Government’s commitment to stable funding for the province is as important as its commitment to ensuring that programs and organizations at the community level are also supported.

On April 10th the federal government made a contribution to Project Literacy Kelowna in the amount of $78,952. With this funding, the Project Literacy Kelowna Society will recruit volunteer tutors to work with 35 under skilled workers to help fill the gaps in the trades and technology sectors in our community. Project Literacy will also adapt learning and literacy materials to specific trades of the learners and develop resource material for the ten most common trades. The project will empower and motivate trade workers while helping them to develop key literacy and numeracy skills, as well as knowledge required for employment, further education, and active participation in the community.

Adults struggling with literacy challenges deserve nothing less than our full support and this program will enable people to overcome these barriers in order to lead productive and independent lives. Workplace literacy is vital not only for the essential skills that people need at work such as reading, writing and math, critical thinking and problem solving it is linked to quality of life, employment, health and self-esteem. In fact, Statistics Canada estimates that a 1 per cent increase in average literacy and numeracy skills would permanently raise the Gross Domestic Product per capita by 1.5 per cent.

The grant is in keeping with the Federal Government’s commitment to invest in programs that provide social support to our community with a particular emphasis on funding that goes directly to local organizations and the people who are most knowledgeable about what is needed in our community. In this way we ensure accessibility to the most effective programming possible---programs that are efficiently run and deliver results.

With this contribution to Project Literacy Kelowna, I am confident we will help people in our community gain the skills they need to find productive work to support their families and at the same time, help local employers fill the skilled worker gap.

National Volunteer Week April 15th to April 21st - Volunteerism Remains Strong in the Okanagan

National Volunteer Week pays special tribute to Canadian volunteers across the country who give of themselves to better their communities and the lives of others.

I am proud to say that the Okanagan has a strong volunteer tradition. As a co-founder of the Volunteer Festival, I have grown to appreciate more and more each year the caring and compassionate individuals and businesses that exist in our community.

To all the volunteers in our community, thank you. With your help we have created innovative partnerships between businesses, the public sector, and volunteer centres. Your willingness to invest your time and talents has helped to make our community a healthier and safer place to call home.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

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About the Author

The Honourable Ron Cannan was first elected as Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country in January, 2006. He was subsequently elected in the 2008 and 2011 federal elections. He is a member of the Conservative Caucus.

On September 13th, 2012 Ron was summoned to be a member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and will provide advice to the Government as a member of the Priorities and Planning Sub-Committee on Government Administration.

Ron successfully uses his experience and knowledge as a long-time Kelowna City Councillor and regional government representative to be an effective and enthusiastic champion for his riding and his constituents.

His greatest satisfaction comes from helping local organizations and citizens obtain the support they require from Ottawa.

He is also dedicated to doing what it takes to ensure that the growing and vibrant communities in his riding continue to thrive and prosper.

He is proud of the partnership and cooperation between federal, provincial and municipal governments which have resulted in significant infrastructure projects including upgrades to Highway 97, expansion of the Kelowna International Airport, a new horticulture strategy for fruit growers, obtaining a full service passport office for Kelowna and addressing critical economic issues such as labour skills shortages.

He works closely with the local Chambers of Commerce and once a year arranges meetings for the Chamber with Cabinet Ministers and senior policy staff in Ottawa to move forward important local issues such as crime prevention and labour skills shortages.

He is also an ardent champion for important community initiatives including homelessness, mental health, women’s resources, and support of arts and culture.

On Parliament Hill, Ron has been a member of the Standing Committee on International Trade since 2006 supporting initiatives which will broaden the economic opportunities for local businesses and businesses Canada-wide.

In previous parliamentary sessions Ron has been a member of the Standing Committee for Government Operations and Estimates, Veteran’s Affairs, Human Resources and Social Development, the Scrutiny of Regulations Committee, and the Standing Committee for Fisheries and Oceans.

Ron is also involved in a variety of inter-parliamentary organizations: he is Vice Chair of the Canada-US Inter-Parliamentary Group, and a member of the Canada-Taiwan Friendship group.

As Chair of the Conservative Wine Caucus, Ron works with his colleagues across the country to promote the wine regions of Canada. Ron tabled Motion 218(formerly Motion 601) which supports direct to consumer purchasing of Canadian wine. His motion became Bill C-311, sponsored by MP Dan Albas, seconded by Ron, which was passed into law on June 28th, 2012.

Prior to entering politics, Ron developed a diverse business background as a small business owner and had several years experience in marketing and sales management working with corporations including Coca-Cola, Costco and Corus Entertainment. 

Very active in his community, Ron has been a Director for both the Central Okanagan Regional District and the Central Okanagan Hospital Board. Ron also served on the Okanagan University College Access to Training Advisory Board, the Glenmore Elementary School Parents Advisory Council, and the Kelowna Christian School Fund Raising Committee. He was co-founder of the Okanagan Volunteer Festival. Currently Ron is a member of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Kelowna and, along with his wife Cindy, was the honorary Chair of the 2012 Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil Ball.

Ron lives a family-oriented and active lifestyle with his wife Cindy. He is the proud father of three daughters and grandfather to three grandsons. His hobbies include music and sports.

The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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