HALIFAX, April 19, 2008 - Isabelle Renault, age 11, from École Bois-Joli in Lawrencetown, is the provincial Canada Day Poster Challenge 2008 finalist for Nova Scotia. This year's theme was My Canada Today!
The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, today announced the provincial finalist, as well as regional winners by age category.
"Throughout Canada, we have the chance to celebrate the talent of our young people. In their posters, these young people have brilliantly shown what Canada represents for them," said Minister Verner. "Their artwork beautifully reflects our identity, our history, and how these young artists see the future."
"It is so refreshing to see young people express their appreciation for Canadian values, heroes and landmarks in such a wide variety of ways," said Anne Calder, President of the Celebrate Canada Committee for Nova Scotia. "It is obvious from the quality of the students' work that they feel a great pride in our nation."
This year, 792 young people aged 5 to 18 from across Nova Scotia participated in the Poster Challenge. The provincial finalist was chosen from among four winners in the following age categories:
Ages 5 to 8 - Ethan Eastwood, 5, Sambro
Ages 9 to 11 - Isabelle Renault, 11, École Bois-Joli, Lawrencetown
Ages 12 to 14 - Samantha Dykeman, 13, Clayton Park Junior High School, Halifax
Ages 15 to 18 - Courtney Reeves, 16, Forest Heights Community School, New Ross
One of the 13 finalists' works, selected from all the provinces and territories, will be chosen to appear on the official 2008 Canada Day poster, which will be distributed across the country. The winning artist will be announced in May. In addition, the 13 provincial and territorial finalists will travel to Ottawa, where they will join thousands of other Canadians gathered on Parliament Hill to celebrate Canada Day. As a special feature this year, the finalists will continue on to Québec City where, on July 3, they will take part in the big celebration of the city's 400th anniversary. 1608 - the date of the foundation of Quebec City - is a historic date for all of Canada and North America. It is from that date that we truly started to become what we are today.
From June to September 2008, the 13 finalists' 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 has become one of the most popular programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Winners will receive prizes from our official partners in the 2008 Poster Challenge: the Hudson's Bay Company (Hbc), the Trans Canada Trail, the Historica Foundation of Canada, the Dominion Institute, and the Canadian Children's Museum.
To find out more about the Canada Day Poster Challenge, visit
www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/affiche-poster Information: Claudine Daigle
Director, Regional Communications
Atlantic Region
Canadian Heritage
506 851-3980
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
