“This is very good news. The Literacy Alliance is a major player in the advancement of literacy in our province. We are very happy to have their continued leadership and support as we work together to improve literacy in PEI,” said the Premier.

Premier Binns advised that literacy has a powerful impact on individuals and society. “An individual’s income, health and well-being are directly related to his or her literacy level. The state of our economy is directly related to provincial literacy levels. Literacy is everybody’s business and we are fortunate to have 32 key organizations working together through the Literacy Alliance to increase literacy in Prince Edward Island,” he said.

Premier Binns wrote to Prime Minister Harper recently to express the concerns of Islanders regarding reductions in federal funding for literacy. “I was also happy to raise the issue with the Prime Minister in person. Today, we are all pleased with the news of this additional investment by the Government of Canada,” he said.