GEORGETOWN, Prince Edward Island, April 25, 2008 -- Chloe Mahar, age 11, from Georgetown Elementary School in Georgetown, is the provincial Canada Day Poster Challenge 2008 finalist for Prince Edward Island. This year's theme was My Canada Today!
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of 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."
"The Poster Challenge is a unique opportunity for young Canadians to express their creativity and to demonstrate their pride in belonging to this great country," said Minister MacKay. "I wish to congratulate the winners and all the participants."
"The hundreds of poster submissions give us a glimpse of Canada though the eyes of our youth and it is obvious they care deeply about our Canadian values," said Martha Ellis, President of the Celebrate Canada Committee for Prince Edward Island. "Their posters remind us of the many different symbols that reflect the aspects of our lives that make Canada such a special country."
This year, 152 young people aged 5 to 18 from across Prince Edward Island participated in the Poster Challenge. The provincial finalist was chosen from among four winners in the following age categories:
Ages 5 to 8 Maddie Anderson, 6, Immanuel Christian School (Charlottetown)
Ages 9 to 11 Chloe Mahar, 11, Georgetown Elementary School (Georgetown)
Ages 12 to 14 Emma Stetson, 14, Queen Charlotte Intermediate (Charlottetown)
Ages 15 to 18 Darien Wilson, 15, ME Callaghan (Tignish)
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. The year 1608--the date of the foundation of Québec City--is a historic date for all of Canada and North America, for the founding of Québec City also marks the founding of Canada.
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:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages
819 997-7788
Claudine Daigle
Director, Regional Communications
Atlantic Region
Canadian Heritage
506 851-3980
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
