Pallister pledges $7 million to boost literacy of Manitoba children

Posted: 1:40 PM CDT Thursday, Mar. 24, 2016

The Progressive Conservatives pledged today that, if elected, it would invest an extra $7 million to boost literacy through a "Read to Succeed" initiative.

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The Progressive Conservatives pledged today that, if elected, it would invest an extra $7 million to boost literacy through a "Read to Succeed" initiative.

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This article was published 24/03/2016 (3489 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Progressive Conservatives pledged today that, if elected, it would invest an extra $7 million to boost literacy through a “Read to Succeed” initiative.

Leader Brian Pallister said his party would improve literacy rates through a program focusing on specific learning objectives. He criticized an NDP pledge to increase spending on education, stating there isn’t a department NDP Leader Greg Selinger won’t promise to spend more money on to get elected. He described Selinger’s spending promises as “Christmas time in March.”

“There has not been a day that Mr. Selinger wouldn’t imperil our future and the ability of Manitobans to get services at the frontline they need by spending way more than he brings in,” Pallister said.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS PC Leader Brian Pallister talks to Chloe Micklefield, 10 and her brother Ezra Micklefield, 8 after making an education announcement at the Winakwa Community Centre Thursday morning. 160324 - Thursday, March 24, 2016

Results from testing conducted by the Council of Ministers of Education in Canada revealed Manitoba scored dead last among Canadian provinces in math, science and reading, which Pallister blamed on the NDP for not addressing the province’s shortcomings effectively. He said he will work with groups to see which challenges are the greatest, and focus government resources in those areas.

“The government has focused on promoting itself with government-paid advertising,” Pallister said. “That money could have been put towards a program like this.”

The NDP has promised to boost education spending by 2.55 per cent through an extra $32.5-million increase in operating grants, while the Manitoba Liberals have pledged $50 million towards the implementation of full-day kindergarten in every school in Manitoba. Selinger has also promised $50 million for modern technology in classrooms, $30 million for upgrades to shop classes and $20 million to improve science labs.

Pallister wouldn’t commit to raising the amount allotted for education or full-day kindergarten.

“My plan is to focus on literacy and get the literacy skills of our children up immediately and focus our resources on that as a top priority,” Pallister said. “The difference between Mr. Selinger and I is that he believes spending and promising is a way to get elected, I believe in keeping my promises and spending needs to be controlled.”

Manitobans head to the polls April 19.