The Literacy Movement in Canada

by Senator Joyce Fairbairn

The promotion of literacy has become the cause of my life for nearly two decades. I was driven to it by my own ignorance of a fundamental social and economic fault line that had prevented millions and millions of Canadians from achieving their full potential or even dreaming about doing that.

When I finally saw the light, I decided to launch a debate in the Senate on Literacy in Canada. That was back in 1987. And it is revealing to the state of the issue at that time that this was the first time it had been discussed in a formal way in either House of Parliament. My frustration with myself caused me to describe the literacy situation in our country, then, as Canada’s “hidden shame.” And then I set out to try and see, even as one person, if I could do anything about it.

Now, my story is not unique among those marvellous activists who have brought so many into a state of concern and understanding on this issue over the years. For me it began when I was sworn in as a senator in 1984. While committing myself fully to the work in the Senate – and you may be relieved to know that the Senate does work – I had a strong commitment to active service in my province and, especially, my beloved home territory in the deep south of Alberta. With my appointment, I was also looking directly for a “cause” on which to focus. That is one of the good things about the Senate. If you want to invest the time and you have the energy, you can pick out issues that have fallen through the cracks or have been completely ignored. In my case I did not find literacy, it found me.

My very first assignment in the Senate was a Special Committee on Youth. It was chaired by Senator Jacques Hébert who created Katimavik to send young Canadians across the country, learning in their free time what it was like to live on the ground away from home in this country. Everywhere I go in Canada, and if I say I’m a senator, I find some person – now with a family of their own saying, "Do you know Jacques Hébert?" He is a wonderful advocate. And he was the chair of this committee.