Nova Scotia Supports Read To Me!

Nova Scotia's youngest children will learn better, thanks in part to funding for literacy announced today, May 2, by Premier John Hamm and federal Human Resources Development Minister Jane Stewart.

The Nova Scotia government has committed $500,000 to the Read To Me! Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that will provide a literacy tote bag to 10,000 parents with newborns. The tote bag will include infant books, baby's first library card, a booklet on reading development and information on community resources to support parents in helping their children read.

"Read To Me! gives parents -- a child's most important teachers -

• the resources they need to encourage children to read at an early age," said Premier Hamm. "Part of our government's Learning for Life plan for student success is focused on helping children learn better and learn more during their earliest years."

The departments of Education and Health have each committed $250,000 in support of Read To Me! to leverage support from other levels of government.

Premier John Hamm and Health Minister Jane Purves visited the IWK Health Centre to detail the provincial support.

"Read To Me! begins a cycle of a child's lifelong learning, right in the maternity ward," said Ms. Purves. "I would like to thank the IWK Health Centre and the Halifax Youth Foundation, particularly chief executive officer Hugh Smith and Dr. Richard Goldbloom, for their leadership in developing this innovative program. We can make a real, positive difference in the lives of our children by supporting them at an early age."

The premier also commended the interest and support of the Government of Canada, particularly Ms. Stewart and Senator Joyce Fairbairn. Human Resources Development Canada is putting $1 million towards Read To Me!, matching the Halifax Youth Foundation's $1 million commitment.

"Minister Stewart and Senator Fairbairn have been two of the strongest supporters of early childhood literacy programs in the federal government. I am delighted that through their efforts, Ottawa has joined Nova Scotia in supporting this valuable initiative," added the premier. "Read To Me! is a great example of what governments and community organizations can do to help our children by working together."