Ottawa, February 26, 2009 - Throughout our country, writers use the richness of the English and French languages to share their stories, their visions, and their insights with us. Through them, we discover all the wealth of our official languages and the various cultures that make up our society. Today, I am pleased to congratulate the winners of the 2008 CBC Literary Awards / Prix littéraires Radio-Canada, who have used their talent to offer us extraordinary short stories and works of poetry and non-fiction.
The CBC Literary Awards / Prix littéraires Radio-Canada are the only awards that highlight the excellence of original unpublished works in both official languages. The awards are presented in partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts, which provides cash prizes totalling $60,000, and Air Canada's magazine, enRoute, which publishes the winning selections. In addition, CBC and Radio-Canada provide the winners and their works with great exposure through their programming.
Our Government believes it is important to support cultural vitality and the use of English and French in all regions of the country. By giving French- and English-speaking Canadian writers national visibility, the CBC Literary Awards / Prix littéraires Radio-Canada contribute to our artists' influence and promote Canada's linguistic duality.
On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada, I congratulate all this year's participants and finalists. You are a source of pride and inspiration for all Canadians. Many thanks to all the CBC Literary Awards / Prix littéraires Radio-Canada partners, who help give our writers an opportunity to reach a larger audience.
Information:
Deirdra McCracken
Director Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
