Read the letter from MFUR President Paul Moist to Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew calling for a significant increase in funding for adult basic education.
November 27th, 2025
The Hon.Wab Kinew,
Premier of Manitoba
Legislative Building
450 Broadway
Wpg. MB.R3C 0V8
Dear Premier Kinew:
I am writing on behalf of the Manitoba Federation of Union Retirees (MFUR). We
are the Manitoba affiliate of the 500,000 members of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC).
We are writing to ask that your government increase its investment in adult basic
education, including adult learning centers and adult literacy programs. Adult basic education is transformative for those many Manitobans who are left behind by the lack of a high school diploma.
Adult basic education can strengthen families. The children of adult learners do
better in school, and this basic education is a bridge out of income support
programs towards full-time employment.
The 2025 study, Fiscal Benefits of Adult Basic Education in Manitoba, outlines
how basic education is a powerful anti-poverty tool. As well, given the over-
representation of indigenous people in adult basic education, support for such
programs is a significant means of promoting reconciliation.
The economic and social benefits of increased support for basic adult education is
irrefutable, and we urge your government to support the call for increased resources in this key public policy area.
Thank you for considering this matter, we would be happy to meet to further
discuss these important issues.
Yours truly,
Paul Moist, President
MFUR
Cc Hon. Renee Cable, Minister of Advanced Education and Training
Hon. Adrien Sala, Minister of Finance
NDP MLA’s