TORONTO, April 23, 2008 - Elizabeth Yeoh, age 9, from École Forest Trail Public School in Oakville, is the provincial Canada Day Poster Challenge 2008 finalist for Ontario. This year's theme is
My Canada Today! Senator Nancy Ruth, on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, today announced the provincial winner and regional finalists by age category.
"Throughout Canada, we 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."
"I would like to thank everyone who participated in the 2008 Canada Day Poster Challenge, from the young artists, teachers, the judges, and the sponsors to the Celebrate Canada Committee," said Senator Nancy Ruth. "I am very honoured to participate in an event that demonstrates enormous pride in our great country."
More than 1400 young people aged 5 to 18 from across Ontario participated in this year's Canada Day Poster Challenge. The provincial winner was chosen from among four finalists in the following age categories:
Ages 5 to 8 Sophia Wang, 7 years old, Jian Wang Art Studio, Toronto
Ages 9 to 11 Elizabeth Yeoh, 9 years old, École Forest Trail Public School, Oakville
Ages 12 to 14 Ben Liu, 12 years old, Jian Wang Art Studio, Toronto
Ages 15 to 18 Katherine Cheng, 16 years old, Lisgar Collegiate Institute, Ottawa
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--a historic date for all of Canada and North America.
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
