Canada's Ministers of Education Meet to Discuss Priority Issues
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saskatoon, February 23, 2009 — Canada's ministers of education were in Saskatoon today for the 95th meeting of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC). Ministers discussed progress on a number of their priorities including Aboriginal education, postsecondary education, and literacy, all three of which are key components of ministers' April 2008 joint declaration, Learn Canada 2020.
Aboriginal education
The meeting of ministers of education continues tomorrow in Saskatoon with the opening of an historic summit on Aboriginal education. Over the course of two days, ministers will discuss ways to strengthen Aboriginal success in education with leaders of pan-Canadian and regional Aboriginal organizations including the Assembly of First Nations, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, the Métis National Council, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and the Native Women's Association of Canada.
Postsecondary education
During their meeting, ministers acknowledged the key role of postsecondary education in maintaining Canada's economic competitiveness. They emphasized the importance of substantial, predictable, stable, and ongoing federal funding for postsecondary education to meet current and emerging needs. Ministers are seeking a long-term increase in federal financial investments and, as the Council of the Federation has stated, "an adequate level of federal funding through the Canada Social Transfer (CST)."
Ministers acknowledged the up to $2 billion recently announced in the federal budget for repairs, renovations, and expansion of postsecondary institutions. Ministers noted the federal government's recognition of the need to provide short-term labour market stimulus and to generate long-term, structural economic benefits associated with the knowledge economy. Ministers urged the federal government to respect provincial/territorial responsibility for education and their priorities, when allocating infrastructure funding.
"Federal investment addresses urgent needs in postsecondary education, but provinces and territories reiterate the importance of a permanent increase to the Canada Social Transfer to fund their priorities and operating costs on an ongoing basis," said the Honourable Kelly Lamrock, Chair of CMEC and Minister of Education for New Brunswick.
CMEC considers that today's postsecondary students form an important part of the future of Canada. Offering them the support of strong postsecondary systems is a key element for Canada's economic competitiveness.
Ministers further noted that the federal government needs to consider the special circumstances of territorial governments in Canada in meeting their postsecondary requirements.
Literacy
Ministers of education reiterated their dedication to improve the literacy levels of Canadians. Through its leadership, CMEC is raising awareness, building partnerships, and leveraging access to resources and services.
Following the success of the first ever pan-Canadian conversation on literacy, CMEC is engaging with literacy organisations, and other partners, to enable Canadians of all ages to develop their skills and improve their lives. "Literacy is more than words. It is the path to knowledge, opportunity, and full participation in society," said Minister Lamrock.
CMEC is an intergovernmental body composed of the ministers responsible for elementary-secondary and advanced education from the provinces and territories. Through CMEC, ministers share information and undertake projects in areas of mutual interest and concern.
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Information:
Tamara Davis
Coordinator, Communications
Cell: (416) 804-6548
Tel.: (416) 962-8100, ext. 241
E-mail: t.davis [at] cmec.ca
Web site: www.cmec.ca