In case you missed this release by the PEI Literacy Alliance back in March of 2008:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2008

PEI ranks near bottom in health literacy

This is the conclusion of the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA)’s Expert Panel on Health Literacy.  Their report spotlights health literacy in Canada and the picture is troubling.  The situation is serious and costly.

Health Literacy is the ability to get, understand and use information for health.

Catherine O’Bryan, Executive Director of the PEI Literacy Alliance, knows that literacy and health literacy are closely linked.  “I wasn’t surprised to read that education levels are a key determinant of health literacy. What is surprising is that reading every day is the most important activity to improve health literacy.”

The CPHA report says that 62% of Islanders have low health literacy, which puts PEI 11th among Canada’s 13 provinces and territories.  With an aging population and increasing incidences of chronic disease, the panel says the problem will get worse.

The report recommends that all levels of government need to be involved. Canada should make efforts to:

1. improve literacy and health literacy
2. provide equal opportunities for everyone to develop literacy and health literacy skills
3. improve the systems that provide health information and services to people with all levels of literacy and health literacy

Health literacy is a serious problem. There is momentum for action and many promising initiatives could be strengthened.  Ms O’Bryan agrees there is a strong case for timely action, but we need political will, organizational leadership and strong efforts of practitioners and the public.

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CONTACT: Catherine O’Bryan, PEI Literacy Alliance, 368-3620

The following is today’s release by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The following is distributed by Island Information Service at the request of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

Islanders Encouraged to Participate in Family Literacy Activities

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, January 26, 2010 – Wednesday, January 27 has been proclaimed Family Literacy Day in Prince Edward Island by Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie.

“Family Literacy Day reminds us of the great things that happen when families read and learn together,” says Minister Currie. “The way that reading is valued and practiced in the home can have more influence on a child’s learning than anything else.”
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is providing  $50,000 this year to support projects that draw families together in activities that foster a love of reading. One of the 24 family literacy grants was recently awarded to a group of Cornwall partners to offer the Spring into Reading program.  With the support of the department, this program has been offered in several Island communities over the years.  It has achieved excellent results in helping children learn to read and in coaching parents to support their children’s literacy development at home.

Spring Into Reading was offered this year to kindergarten, grade 1 and grade 2 students and families in Cornwall. The project was a partnership of Cornwall early childhood centres and kindergarten programs, Westwood Primary School, the Westwood Home and School Association, the public library and the Town of Cornwall.  Participants say the project surpassed their expectations to strengthen the children’s literacy skills and the parents’ ability to support their children’s learning.

“Improving literacy in our One Island Community is a key priority of government,” said Minister Currie. “Reading is the foundation skill for all learning.  We are very pleased to support family literacy because it is an important link to a child’s success throughout the school years, to the health of Islanders, and to the future prosperity of the province.”

For information about family literacy programs, contact the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development at www.gov.pe.ca/eecd or the PEI Literacy Alliance at www.pei.literacy.ca.

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For information contact:
Jean Doherty
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
902 368 6449

Click on the PDF tab at the top of the page to download the report or follow the link at the bottom of the following press release:

aussi disponible en français
January 7, 2010
For immediate release

Report Released on the Commission on Land and Local Governance

Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour

The Honourable Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour, has released the Commissioner’s Report on Land and Local Governance and advised that Government has endorsed the general direction of the report. Recommendations that require extended action or consultation will be going forward in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

Minister Bertram applauded the Commissioner, Judge Ralph Thompson on an excellent report. “This was a significant undertaking, and I want to personally thank Commissioner Thompson for his hard work and dedication to the process. He has spent many hours conducting consultation and information sessions, reviewing previously established materials, conducting analysis and creating the most appropriate recommendations for land use and local governance on Prince Edward Island,” said Minister Bertram.

The Report includes 40 recommendations and a government action plan. One of the key recommendations of the Report is for the provincial government to “Adopt a consistent and cohesive land use plan for the entire province that is based on a comprehensive provincial policy, accurate data, effective public consultation, an element of local governance and consistent enforcement.” Many of the subsequent recommendations provide direction on what should be included and how to achieve a provincial land use plan.

Some of the recommended changes can be implemented relatively quickly, while others will require more time. Recommendations range in topic, including:

• a review of the Provincial Subdivision and Development Regulations;

• the establishment of new legislation for municipal government;

• landscape planning requirements, implementing a community-based approach to protect our scenic view-scapes;

• municipal street maintenance in Stratford and Cornwall;

• a new conservation strategy;

• a review and expansion of the Alternative Land Use Services Program;

• retention of the current buffer zone legislation;

• amendment of the aggregate land holdings limits so they apply to arable land;

• a new green house facility equipped to produce a broader variety of forest species and nursery stock sizes;

• continued planning for the implementation of the Nitrates in Groundwater Report; and

• determination of the consensus of Islanders regarding local governance and municipal incorporation.

“Land use planning affects almost every aspect of life in Prince Edward Island. It balances the interests of individual property owners with the wider interests and objectives of the whole community,” said Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour. “This report will assist Government in making decisions on how to better service our one Island community.”

Government announced that recommendations #5 and #6 will be implemented immediately:

• Recommendation #5 – That the Land Use Coordinating Committee be given responsibility for coordinating internal government actions related to the development of a provincial land use policy.

• Recommendation #6 – That the provincial government appoint a task force, soon after the release of this report, to develop a public engagement strategy around the land use questions, to guide the work of government staff, to lead public consultation, and to report periodically with findings and recommendations.

The Provincial Planning Division, under the Department of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour, will immediately begin to draft action plans for implementing recommendations.

The report is available to the public at www.gov.pe.ca/landandlocalgovernance.

Media Contact: Autumn Tremere

9:00 a.m. Timothy’s Coffee Shop – Timothy’s

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Lieutenant Governor -  Fanningbank 368-5480

10:30 a.m. – 12 noon Mayor Clifford Lee -  City Hall 566-5548

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Borden/Carleton Legion -  Legion Home 855-2660

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Canoe Cove Community Association – Canoe Cove Schoolhouse

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. HMCS Queen Charlotte – Water Street 368-0414

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Kensington Legion (music at 1:00) – Legion Home 836-3229

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Kensington Club (music till 6 p.m.) 5 – Lanes Lounge 836-3855

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Village of Crapaud, Curling Club & Chamber – Crapaud Community Hall 658-2558

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. University of P.E.I. – McDougall Hall, UPEI 894-7371

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. Haviland Club – 2 Haviland St. 894-4421

12 noon – 1:30 p.m. Town of Stratford – Stratford Town Centre 569-1995

12 noon – 2:00 p.m. Town of Kensington – Town Hall, 55 Victoria Street 836-3781

12 noon – 2:00 p.m. South Shore Chamber of Commerce -  Crapaud Curling Club 658-2789

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Charlottetown Armories – Queen Charlotte Armories (Water & Haviland St) 368-0108

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club – 110 Water Street 436-2153

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Seniors Active Living Centre – CARI Complex – UPEI 628-8388

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Summerside Legion – Legion Home 304 Notre Dame St. 436-2091

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Community of O’Leary – Alice Duncan Intergenerational Ctr.(544 Main Street) 859-3311

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. St. John’s Lodge/Victoria Lodge Masonic Temple – 204 Hillsboro St 894-9326

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Handibear Hills Horse Sanctuary – South Granville, Highway 231, Civic 3919

1:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Miscouche Legion – Legion Home 436-2672

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tignish Legion & Village Council – Legion Home 882-2011

12:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. Tyne Valley Fire Department – Firemen’s Club 831-3277

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wellington Legion – Legion Home

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Reverend Richard Grecco (Bishop) – SDU Place (St. Dunstan’s Parish Rectory) 368-8005

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Town of Cornwall – Cornwall Town Hall 566-2354

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. City of Summerside – City Hall 432-1246

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Charlottetown Legion – Clover Club 892-6022

1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Rustico Legion President’s Levee – North Rustico Legion 963-2452

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Garden Home – 310 North River Road 892-4131

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Bloomfield Legion (enter. – Alphy Perry) – Legion Home 859-3404

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. New London - cancelled 2009 New London Community Complex 886-2599

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Town of Montague – Montague Town Hall 838-2528

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Town of Georgetown - cancelled 2009 MacIans (former Lions Hall) 652-2924

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Murray River – Public Hall

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. St. Anthony’s Legion – Legion Home

2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Ellerslie Legion – Legion Home 831-2806

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Benevolent Irish Society – 582 North River Rd 892-2367

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m Premier’s Levee – Confederation Centre of the Arts (Queen St Entrance) 628-1864

3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. O’Leary Legion -cancelled 2009 Legion Home 859-3301

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Charlottetown Curling Club – 241 Euston Street 892-7467

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sportspage Levee – Sportspage 368-3655

6:00 p.m. Charlottetown Fire Department – Firemen’s Club 892-4584

8:00 p.m. Miscouche Fire Department – Firemen’s Club 436-7593

a piece of my tree

singasong.mp3

First reading of Bill No. 14. Pesticides Control (restriction of lawn-Care Products) Amendment Act. Moved by the Honourable Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry. Seconded by The Honourable Member from Stratford-Kinlock.

This Act includes the following:

- Use of all pesticides containing the active ingredient 2,4-D will be banned from use on commercial and residential lawns.
-The use of lawn-care pesticides will be prohibited on all Crown-owned property (excluding golf courses).
-The sale and use of more than 240 over-the-counter lawn care pesticides will be banned.
Banned lawn-care pesticides will include- combination products, concentrates, hose-end products and granular products.

More to come as the Bill is debated in the House.

TERESA WRIGHT
The Guardian

A backbench MLA is putting together a private member’s bill proposing to create an ombudsman for the P.E.I. government.
P.E.I. is currently the only province without such an ombudsman, but Stratford-Kinlock MLA Cynthia Dunsford would like to see that rectified.
“(The ombudsman) could take on a lot of different inquiries and different complaints that people might have,” Dunsford said.
“Those calls or complaints can be categorized into alternate kinds of actions that could be taken to help people, which an ombudsman would be able to do very effectively.”
A similar private member’s bill was introduced 10 years ago by former NDP MLA Herb Dickieson. It did not pass but was debated extensively in the legislature and in the end did win the support of seven MLAs in a vote of 13-7. Several members abstained from voting on the issue.
The concerns raised at the time revolved around whether an ombudsman would change the role of MLAs in their dealings with the public.
Dunsford, who has been doing extensive research into the policies enacted by other provinces, said she does not believe such a figure would call into question the role of elected politicians on P.E.I.
Islanders are infamous for calling their MLAs for complaints or concerns both big and small, and that will not change with the addition of an ombudsman, Dunsford said.
“We are always going to get those calls and that’s fine because people generally just need direction and we may be able to help them and that’s a good thing,” she said.
“But there are areas that an MLA should not be looking into or can’t look into. There are limitations to what we can do and how we can help and it’s very frustrating as an MLA and somebody calls you with an issue that you can’t really get involved in because it would be something that would be seen as interference — because we’re political figures, we’re not bureaucrats.”
The addition of a provincial government ombudsman was a promise made by the Liberals during the 2007 election campaign, but on Thursday Premier Robert Ghiz said such a new position would be an added expense the province may not be able to afford right now.
But he didn’t rule it out as a future possibility.
“As we know, there was a bit of a financial downturn in the world economy over the last year or so,” Ghiz said.
“This probably won’t be happening this year, but we’ll definitely be looking for it for the year after as a definite possibility.”
Dunsford said her private member’s bill is not ready to be tabled during this session of the legislature anyway, as she is still conducting research and comparing the practices and policies of ombudsman in other provinces.
“This is something that will still require a fair bit of work,” she said.

THIS is good news!! Congratulations and thank you to the PEI Chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society and The PEI Environmental Health Coalition. Without your help this would not have happened.

TERESA WRIGHT
The Guardian

New "Share the Road" signs, a new crosswalk, sidewalks, road repair and resurfacing.

It is the time of year when road construction across PEI is coming to an end. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Minister Ron MacKinley and the Department of Transportation and Public Works for all the great work completed in the district of Stratford-Kinock this past season. I have received many phone calls, emails etc. from pleased residents about all of the improvements made to our community’s roads, sidewalks and bike lanes.

The “Share the Road” signs are a first for PEI and I want to thank TPW Deputy Mnister, Steve MacLean for his dedication to safety for cyclists in Stratford and on PEI.

As well, a big thank you for the long-awaited crosswalk between the CGI building and the the Stratford Pharmacy and Robins Donuts. This new crosswalk has already helped solved the safety issue on this very busy section of the Stratford Rd.

Wider shoulders were also constructed to help make it safer for cyclists and pedestrians. The section of the Keppoch Road by Pondside Park now has a better lane for cyclists, on both sides, thanks to the foresight of Alan Aitken of TPW in adjusting the lines enough to help create a small shoulder, where before there was no shoulder at all.

Queens County Supervisor, Malclom MacKenzie and the crews at TPW… THANK YOU! Stratford is a much safer place to drive, ride, walk and play.

Thanks to Bob Gray and Jan Meulenkamp, we had a great ride in from Stratford to the Charlottetown Farmer’s Market for some great local food and dancing!

Every little bit counts.

Bob, Cynthia and Jan

'Thriller' dancers at the Market

80 Years ago this Sunday, women were declared ‘persons’ in Canada.

Detail of the maquette of the statue of the Famous Five, which depicts their reaction on hearing of the judgement of the Privy Council in Great Britain declaring women ‘persons’, and eligible to sit in the Senate. Courtesy of the Famous 5 Foundation, Calgary, Alberta. Photo by Mark Mennie.

The larger than life bronzes, sculpted by Barbara Paterson of Edmonton, and donated to the Government of Canada by the Famous 5 Foundation (www.famous5.org), honour Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby and Nellie McClung. The work depicts them as they might have appeared on hearing the news of the Privy Council’s ruling. Standing behind an empty chair, Emily Murphy, with a triumphant gesture beckons to visitors, men and women equally, to have a place at this celebration of a new day for women in Canada.

An empty chair adds an interactive feature to the monument that invites passers-by to join the group. The newspaper with the headline “Women are Persons” that Nellie McClung is holding reflects some of the actual headlines of newspapers of the day.

THE FAMOUS FIVE: WHO THEY WERE (from left to right on the picture, source: National Archives of Canada)

Nellie L. McClung (1873-1951), novelist, journalist, suffragette and temperance worker. She was a member of the Alberta legislature, the only woman on the Dominion War Council, and the first woman on the CBC Board of Governors.

Irene Parlby (1868-1965), suffragette and politician. She was elected president of the women’s branch of the United Farmers of Alberta in 1916 and became a member of the Alberta legislature in 1921. She was still a member of Parliament at the time of the Persons Case.

Emily G. Murphy (1868-1933), instigator of the Persons Case, writer, and first woman magistrate in the British Empire. She pioneered married women’s rights, was National President of the Canadian Women’s Press Club 1913-1920, vice-president of the National Council of Women and first president of the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada. [In 1916, Judge Emily Murphy had sentenced a bootlegger but his attorney challenged her ruling on the grounds that she was not a "person" and occupied her office legally (see Neal, 2006, p. 130)]

Henrietta Muir Edwards, (1849-1931), journalist, suffragist and organizer, fought for equal rights for wives, mothers’ allowances and women’s rights. She started the Working Girls’ Association in Montréal in 1875, a forerunner of the YWCA. Later, while living in Alberta, she compiled two works on Alberta and federal laws affecting women and children.

Louise McKinney (1868-1931), politician and temperance campaigner. She was president of the Dominion Women’s Christian Union and elected to the Alberta legislature in 1917 as representative of the non-partisan league.