REGINA, April 26, 2006 - Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women Beverley J. Oda today announced the names of the Canada Day Poster Challenge 2006 winner and finalists for Saskatchewan. The winner is Alanna Surkan, aged 18, of Rivier Academy, in Prince Albert.
The first place winner was selected from the finalists in the following age categories:
Age 5-8 Alexander Pearce, 8, of T.D. Michel Community School, in Big River
Age 9-11 Jean Huang, 11, of Deshaye Catholic School, in Regina
Age 12-14 Morgan McKellar, 14, of Outlook High School, in Outlook
Age 15-18 Alanna Surkan, 18, of Rivier Academy, in Prince Albert
The contest results were revealed at a ceremony that took place at the CBC Broadcast Centre in Regina today.
"The Canada Day Poster Challenge encourages young Canadians to visualize Canada through their eyes and explore the many facets of our country, from its landscape and heritage to its people, cultures, and ideas," said Minister Oda. "This contest provides them with an opportunity to display their creativity while demonstrating their pride in being Canadian."
"The Poster Challenge attracted 1375 entries from students in 66 schools across Saskatchewan this year," said Connie McIntyre, President of the Celebrate Canada Committee for Saskatchewan. "I would like to thank all the schools and teachers for their continued support for the Challenge. It would not be possible without their support."
The theme of this year's Canada Day Poster Challenge is "Images of Canada." The contest invited participants to express themselves through images that portray what Canada means to them.
The design of one of the provincial or territorial winners will be chosen as the official Canada Day 2006 poster and distributed throughout the country. The name of the national winner will be announced in May. All 13 provincial and territorial winners and their escorts will be guests of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, in Ottawa, on July 1, where they will join thousands of other Canadians gathered on Parliament Hill to celebrate Canada's 139th birthday.
From June to September 2006, the 13 winning posters will be on display at the Canadian Children's Museum, located in the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec.
Initiated in 1987, the Canada Day Poster Challenge is one of the Department of Canadian Heritage's most popular programs. Official partners of the 2006 Canada Day Poster Challenge--Hudson's Bay Company, the Trans Canada Trail Foundation, the Historica Foundation of Canada, the Dominion Institute, and the Canadian Children's Museum--will offer prizes to this year's winners.
The Official partner of the 2006 Canada Day Poster Challenge in Saskatchewan is the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation/Société Radio-Canada. Reproductions of the top 50 entrants from Saskatchewan can be viewed at the CBC Broadcast Centre, at 2440 Broad Street in Regina, until April 28, 2006.
To find out more about the Challenge, please visit our website at
www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/affiche-poster
Information :
Brigitte Gibson
Director, Communications &
Executive Services, Prairies
and Northern Region
204 983-7875
