GATINEAU, December 4, 2006 - The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, invites all young people across the country to participate in the 2007 Canada Day Poster Challenge. The theme of this year's contest is "A Portrait of Canada: Celebrating 140 Years."
"The Poster Challenge gives young people an opportunity to express their pride in being Canadian, to demonstrate their creativity, and to depict what their country means to them," said Minister Oda. "This year's theme encourages them to explore the achievements, innovations, key moments, and everyone who has helped shape Canada."
Young Canadians aged 18 or under have until February 28, 2007 to submit their designs to the Celebrate Canada Committee of their province or territory.
The provincial and territorial Committees will select a finalist in each of four age categories. One of the finalists will be chosen as the provincial or territorial winner. Following the competition, the Minister of Canadian Heritage will invite the 13 finalists to celebrate Canada Day 2007 in Ottawa. They will join thousands of other Canadians gathered on Parliament Hill to celebrate Canada's 140th birthday. The design of the finalist chosen as the national winner will become the official poster for Canada Day and other Celebrate Canada! events.
Launched in 1987, the Canada Day Poster Challenge is one of the most popular programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Each year, thousands of young people take part in it with the help of Celebrate Canada Committee members, schools, and teachers across the country. Last year, more than 20 000 young Canadians entered the competition.
The official partners of the 2007 Canada Day Poster Challenge are the Hudson's Bay Company (Hbc), the Historica Foundation of Canada, the Dominion Institute, the Trans Canada Trail, and the Canadian Children's Museum. They will offer prizes to this year's winners.
To learn more about the Canada Day Poster Challenge, please visit our website at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/affiche-poster
Information:
Chisholm Pothier
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women
819 997-7788
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
