In the past, the union representing outside workers employed by the City of Montreal had a workplace literacy program, but it was discontinued in the mid 1990s. Local 301 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees is interested in being part of a pilot project. This will require the coordination of the union, the city, the borough and, of course, the deliverer of the literacy program itself in order to conduct a needs assessment. The financing of a pilot project must be carefully planned by ensuring that the parties meet all requirements of Emploi-Québec at the outset.

Recommendations 2006 - 2008

  1. Consider establishing a link between the ADGMQ and CAMA Web sites, with a special mention of the literacy projects.
  2. Arrange a presentation to ADGMQ dealing with CAMA literacy projects.
  3. Hold regional conferences in Quebec inviting municipal and union officials in an effort to highlight the issue of literacy among municipal workplaces and community.
  4. Invite the Literacy Foundation to a meeting with the purpose of establishing a close relationship and seeking advice on how to proceed.
  5. Invite the Québec Federation of Labour, CUPE Québec and other unions representing municipal workers to a meeting with the purpose of establishing a close relationship and seeking advice on how to proceed.
  6. Send information on CAMA to all municipal officials who indicated interest in receiving it.
  7. Following the conference, choose three or four municipalities to conduct a needs assessment.
  8. Find ways to get CAMA success stories in other provinces out to the municipalities without offending those that did not want to receive information about CAMA and its programs.
  9. Promote the CAMA national conference in Quebec through Claude Delisle, Executive Director of the Association des directeurs généraux municipaux du Québec.
  10. Look into the possibility of making a presentation to CUPE Québec, municipal sector, in the spring of 2006.

Conclusion

It is encouraging to see such a high percentage of respondents willing to consider implementing a workplace literacy program. Even more encouraging is the number of respondents who indicated an interest in receiving more studies and materials from CAMA.

Respectfully submitted,

Ray Arsenault, Consultant