Prior to any decisions about social security reform, including about the general framework for reform, the Federal Government must allocate more time for a serious and thorough public debate, including consideration of major changes to the tax system. The Federal Government should provide a commitment that this longer-term process will be completed, including a gender analysis of the social security system, before it leaves office.

Introduce a Canadian Literacy Act in order to clearly establish the right of all people living in Canada to literacy and to establish principles and standards for literacy training.

Ensure distance education programs designed to meet the literacy needs of rural and northern women, including farm women and women in the fisheries

Guarantee appropriate supports for women's participation in literacy programs, including accommodation of the specific needs of women with disabilities.

Make language training in English and French available to immigrant, refugee and visible minority women regardless of citizenship or residency status.

Provision of a Literacy Act should include access to language training for immigrant, visible minority and refugee women.

Maintain the Federal Government commitment to support of university level research and, as soon as possible, enhance this support.

As an alternative to the Income Contingent Repayment Plan, develop a student loan program which recognizes the needs of women in Canada for equitable access to post-secondary education and for financial support measures which do not penalize those: who are on social assistance; who do not enter directly from secondary education; who take longer to compete because of interruptions in education; who are unable to secure well-paying work on completing their education; who need to cover costs for child care, counselling or other non-tuition items as part of their education.