0
The International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS), undertaken in the mid 1990s, and the follow-up Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (ALLS) undertaken in 2003, both highlighted the strong link between literacy levels and economic well being. Individuals with higher literacy skills earn more, are less likely to be unemployed, are healthier and are less likely to require social transfers such as Social Assistance.
In 2010, in partnership with Bow Valley College, Scott Murray, President of Data Angel Policy Research, and the international study director for both the IALS and ALLS surveys, completed an analysis of literacy levels of adult Aboriginals in Canada. Broken down by province and territory and by urban and rural locations, the analysis provides an in-depth view of levels of literacy, what the local demand is for literacy skills for work, and analyses gaps that exist and how those gaps are affecting the economic well being of individuals and communities.
Since the analysis was completed, the results have been disseminated at presentations across Canada. On Thursday March 3rd, with the support and assistance of the Bow Valley College Aboriginal Centre, the College hosted, at the Carriage House Inn in Calgary, a presentation by Scott Murray of the findings of the analysis for Alberta. The session, was well attended by representatives from the Treaty 7 reserves, the Métis Nation of Alberta and members of government.
Back to top
