PONT-ROUGE, Quebec, May 20 2010 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister for La Francophonie, today announced the names of the winners in four age groups and the provincial finalist in the Canada Day Poster Challenge 2010.
Véronique Samson, age 13, attends École St-Charles in Pont-Rouge. Her artwork stood out from the other entries by interpreting this year's theme "My Canada is..." in a fresh and inspired way.
"What great talent young Canadians have shown us once again through the Canada Day Poster Challenge! I'm always amazed by the creativity that emerges from the participants and the pride they express in their illustrations," said Minister Moore. "These works of art reflect what our country's young artists think and feel about their Canada, and it is very meaningful."
"Young people were able to express what Canada means to them and turn it into a poster that illustrates the pride they feel as Canadians," said Minister Verner. "I congratulate every participant, as well as the provincial winner, and I salute all the young people across the country who helped make this year's Canada Day Poster Challenge a success."
In Quebec, 434 young people between the ages of 5 and 18 rose to the Challenge this year. The provincial finalist was chosen from among the four winners in the following age groups:
- 5 to 8 years: Émy Bisson, age 7, École Immaculée-Conception, Drummondville;
- 9 to 11 years: Geneviève Paquin, age 11, Académie Ste-Thérèse, Ste-Thérèse;
- 12 to 14 years: Véronique Samsom, age 13, École St-Charles, Pont-Rouge
- 15 to 18 years: Claudie Lamarre, age 15, Heritage Regional High School, St-Hubert.
Véronique is among the 13 provincial and territorial finalists. The national winner's work will become the official poster for Celebrate Canada. The 13 provincial and territorial finalists will all win a laptop computer loaded with options.
The Poster Challenge program, created in 1987, encourages young Canadians to learn more about Canada, which makes them even more proud of our country and strengthens their feeling of belonging.
For more information on the Canada Day Poster Challenge 2010, visit www.posterchallenge.pch.gc.ca.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Matthew Deacon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788
matthew.deacon@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
