OTTAWA, May 29, 2008 - Rémi Petitpas, age 13, from École Père-Edgar-T.-LeBlanc in Grand Barachois, New Brunswick, is the national winner of the 2008 Canada Day Poster Challenge. This year's theme was "My Canada Today!"
The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie, today announced the national winner of the 2008 Poster Challenge.
"I congratulate Rémi and the thousands of creative participants who showed us what Canada means to them today," said Minister Verner. "These young people succeeded in capturing the splendour of Canada's landscapes, images of our cultural diversity, and outstanding moments in our history. They have shown their pride in being Canadian by illustrating what makes our country so wonderful."
Elizabeth Yeoh, age 9, from École Forest Trail Public School in Oakville, Ontario, placed second. Third place went to Christy Groves, age 16, from Mountain Feild Academy in Forteau, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Out of nearly 13,000 entries, the poster by Rémi Petitpas was chosen to be the official poster for Canada Day 2008 and will be distributed throughout Canada. Asked to explain his poster, Rémi said, "In keeping with today's technology, I have chosen to use a GPS screen to set the scene and present a view of 'My Canada Today!'"
The 13 provincial and territorial finalists will take part in the Canada Day festivities on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on July 1. They will celebrate in the company of the Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie, and thousands of Canadians from all over the country. As a special feature this year, the finalists will travel onward to Québec City, where they will take part on July 3 in the big celebrations of the city's 400th anniversary. The year 1608, when Québec City was founded, is a historic date for all of Canada and for North America. It is from this date that we really began to become what we are today, as the founding of Québec City also marks the founding of the Canadian state.
From June to October 2008, the posters by Rémi Petitpas and the 12 other provincial and territorial finalists will be on display at the Canadian Children's Museum, located in the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec. They can also be seen on-line at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/affiche-poster
To obtain a copy of the Canada Day poster, with a magnificent calendar on the reverse side, contact your regional office of Canadian Heritage. Contact information can be found on the above Poster Challenge website.
Initiated in 1987, the Canada Day Poster Challenge is 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.
Information:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage,
Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie
819 997-7788
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
