News Releases

Senator receives special literacy award

Oct. 27, 2005

On Literacy Action Day, the movers and the shakers of Canada's literacy community came to Parliament Hill to urge MPs to make literacy a priority. During the day, Senator Joyce Fairbairn was presented with the first-ever Canada Post Special Recognition Literacy Award, in appreciation of the Senator's commitment and dedication to literacy. The award was presented to her by Susan Margles, vice-president of Government Relations and Policy Framework, Canada Post.

Upon receiving her award, Senator Fairbairn thanked Canada Post for the award but noted that she accepted it on behalf of all the people involved in making a difference in the literacy world, especially the learners. Senator Fairbairn then thanked Canada Post for its support over the last decade, noting the Canada Post Literacy Awards play an important role in bringing much-needed awareness to the issue.

More than 150 literacy delegates from across Canada were joined by Senator Fairbairn, as well as guest speakers The Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of State (Human Resources Development), The Honourable Jack Layton, NDP Leader, and MPs Carol Skelton (Con-Saskatoon/Rosetown/Biggar, Saskatchewan) and France Bonsant (BQ-Compton/Stanstead, Québec). Also speaking at the event was The Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and literacy learners Carey Rigby Wilcox and Françoise Cadieux, who shared their compelling stories with the delegates.