Government of Canada Launches 2014 Canada Day Challenge

OTTAWA, Oct. 30, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today launched the 2014 Canada Day Challenge.

Under the theme "Canada: Strong and Free," the Canada Day Challenge invites young Canadians aged 8 to 18 years old to express their creativity and show their pride in being Canadian.

The three categories are:

• Draw It! Submit a poster design.
• Snap It! Submit an original digital photograph.
• Write It! Submit a literary creation in the form of a short story, poem, or essay.

"On the road to Canada's 150^th birthday in 2017, the Canada Day Challenge is an excellent opportunity for young people to explore Canada's history, culture and identity and to celebrate everything that makes Canada the united, strong and free country it is today," said Minister Glover.

The deadline for entering the contest is February 15, 2014.

Winners will be announced in spring 2014. The grand prize for this year's three national winners—one from each category—is a trip to Ottawa to visit Canada's national institutions and to celebrate Canada Day 2014 on Parliament Hill. As special guests of Parks Canada, they will also visit select Parks Canada sites. Runners-up in each category will also receive prizes.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for young Canadians to show their love of Canada at the Canada Day Celebrations in our nation's capital and to then experience some of Canada's wonderful natural and historic heritage," said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment.

"During their visit to Ottawa, national winners will experience part of our heritage and national identity through activities and special attractions and have the opportunity to meet some of Canada's most exciting and inspiring people," said Minister Glover.

The official partners of the 2014 Canada Day Challenge are Parks Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Encounters with Canada, the Trans Canada Trail, Canada Post, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and the Royal Canadian Mint.

The winning entries will be displayed at the Canadian Museum of Civilization from June to September 2014 and will be part of the design of the official posters for the 2014 Celebrate Canada festivities.

For more information on the contest, entry rules and regulations, as well as additional learning resources, visit the Canada Day Challenge website at www.challenge.pch.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

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(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)