COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – I Love to Read month

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/02/2025 (395 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opening a new book for the first time always feels special, especially when we take the time to read with children and step into worlds beyond our own. As Dr. Suess says, “The more you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you will go.”

This is the power of reading, and for decades Manitoba communities have celebrated this during I Love to Read month. Each February, families, teachers, and local leaders come together to share stories and support young readers. Books inspire creativity and nurture critical thinking throughout our lives. As another saying goes: first, we learn to read, and then we read to learn.

We keep the I Love to Read tradition alive each year because many young Manitobans struggle with reading. National and international assessments show us that they often fall behind their peers across Canada and the world. This is why it is more important than ever to invest in reading education and ensure students have the tools they need for personal growth and success. This starts at home, when families read together and encourage children to put down their phones and pick up a book instead.

This effort also carries on into our classrooms. However, like many of you, I was disappointed by the NDP government’s recent decision to cancel the Teachers Idea Fund. For years, this has been an important resource, giving teachers extra support in their classrooms to improve reading skills and both student engagement and achievement in various different areas.

Since 2021, the fund has supported 197 projects in 37 school divisions, including important initiatives like library upgrades, phonics instruction, kindergarten book kits, reading and writing workshops, and school book clubs. These programs helped students develop strong vocabularies and a lifelong love for reading.

With a $1.3-billion deficit and counting, the NDP certainly needs to get our finances in order and balance the budget just like they promised. But they should not be doing so on the backs of our children. Investing in education and a child’s ability to read is not a luxury. It is a basic necessity. If we as a province care about our children and their future, then we should not target education as a way to cut costs. The government must commit to improving literacy results with a critical focus on early years if we want to see our children and our province truly reach their full potential.

The benefits of reading are endless, and as a parent, grandparent, and a legislator, I have seen how reading changes lives. This month, I encourage every Manitoba family to pick up a new book and read it with their children. The stories we share with them today will be the stories they share with others tomorrow.

And with the final weeks of winter upon us, I also want to encourage Manitobans to get out and make the most of the rest of the season. Since the December solstice, we have gained over two and a half hours of daylight! As we approach the spring equinox, we will enjoy even more each day. Stay warm and soak up the sunshine.

The work I value most is serving you and your family as your representative for Springfield-Ritchot. I welcome your questions or comments by email to Ron@RonSchuler.com or by mail to Box 150, Oak Bank, Manitoba R0E 1J0.