BURNABY, British Columbia, June 13, 2011 - Serena Chan, age 15, of Burnaby, British Columbia, is the national winner of the 2011 Canada Day Poster Challenge. The theme of this year's challenge was "Canada: A proud past, a bright future!" The announcement was made today by the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.
"I wish to congratulate Serena Chan and the finalists from the other provinces and territories who depicted what Canada means to them," said Minister Moore. "By taking part in this contest, they were able to learn more about their heritage and see how the past has shaped the Canada of today and tomorrow."
"Our young Canadians are brimming with talent, as we can see from the finalists' posters. Thank you to all the young Canadians who have made the Canada Day Poster Challenge a success again this year. You are a source of inspiration to us all!" added Minister Moore.
The Poster Challenge is part of the Celebrate Canada program, which provided more than $6.6 million in 2011 to fund local activities organized across the country for Celebrate Canada festivities. The festivities run from June 21 to July 1 and include National Aboriginal Day, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Canadian Multiculturalism Day, and Canada Day. For more information on the Celebrate Canada program, visit www.celebratecanada.pch.gc.ca.
Asked to explain her poster design, Serena said, "Canada is shaped by its exciting history, its magnificent landscapes, and diverse culture. It welcomes many extraordinary people, people who change things. Canada's history, pride, beauty, and multiculturalism make it unique. This is what Canada means to me."
Serena and the second- and third-place finalists will each receive a laptop computer, a complete selection of software programs, and a carrying case. Serena's design will become the official Celebrate Canada poster.
The national winner and the 12 finalists from the other provinces and territories will also each receive a prize from Parks Canada and Brewster Travel Canada: a five-day visit to Banff and Jasper national parks for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Parks Canada.
The British Columbia finalist was chosen from the winners in the following age groups:
- ages 5 to 8: Noelle Yau, age 7, Howard De Beck Elementary, Richmond
- ages 9 to 11: Rachelle Yau, age 10, Howard De Beck Elementary, Richmond
- ages 12 to 14: Judy Choi, age 12, Southlands Elementary School, Vancouver
- ages 15 to 18: Serena Chan, age 15, Burnaby South Secondary School, Burnaby
The Canada Day Poster Challenge is a very popular annual competition that invites Canadians aged 5 to 18 to express what inspires them about their country. The 2011 theme enabled participants to express their national pride and enthusiasm for Canada.
The designs of all 13 territorial and provincial finalists can be admired at www.posterchallenge.pch.gc.ca.
Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788
Perry Boldt
Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-5739
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
Finalists in the 2011 Canada Day Poster Challenge:
- Serena Chan, age 15, Burnaby,British Columbia (national winner)
- Julia Anantchenko, age 9,Thornhill, Ontario (2nd place)
- Timothy Blackmore, age 13, Fredericton, New Brunswick (3rd place)
- Nathan Spencer, age 14, Stettler, Alberta
- Rheanne Lee Millet, age 11, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Dominique Long, age 17, St. George's, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Winter Ross, age 10, Inuvik, Northwest Territories
- Madeleine Putnam, age 11, Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Pauline Pauloosie, age 14, Taloyoak, Nunavut
- Tarini Nanditha Fernando, age 12, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
- Béatrice Antoziak, age 11, Sainte-Rose, Quebec
- Julia Ziyue Peng, age 15, Regina, Saskatchewan
- Jennifer Ryan, age 14,Faro, Yukon
From June to September 2011, Serena Chan's design, along with those of the 12 other provincial and territorial finalists, will be on display at the Canadian Children's Museum within the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec.
The Government of Canada wishes to thank the official sponsors of the Canada Day Poster Challenge: Parks Canada, Brewster Travel Canada, the Trans Canada Trail, the Historica-Dominion Institute, Canada Post, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and the Royal Canadian Mint. These partners have also contributed prizes for the winners.
