OTTAWA – A great tradition continues at Canada Post with the Canada Post 2003 Literacy Awards! For the 11th consecutive year, the company will recognize individuals and organizations for their exceptional accomplishments in the field of Literacy. Nominations open today.

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Can you read the above paragraph? For the more than 7 million Canadians who have difficulty with reading or writing, every written document they encounter looks like those sentences. Filling out a job application, reading a prescription bottle, following instructions or telling a child a story becomes an insurmountable task when your reading and writing skills are inadequate.

“Canada Post is proud to support the effort of thousands of Canadians who overcome significant hardships in their efforts to improve their reading and writing skills,” said Alain Guilbert, vice-president of Communications at Canada Post. “We’re confident that these awards not only recognize the accomplishments of our winners, but that they also raise public awareness of the contributions of communities, educators and businesses to the literacy cause.”

Created in 1993, the Canada Post Literacy Awards are the only national awards dedicated to recognizing grass roots literacy initiatives and to celebrating the achievements of learners and the people who help them along the way. The awards will recognize up to 45 individuals and organizations for their exceptional work in one of four categories: Individual Achievement, Educator, Community Leadership and Business Leadership.

Those interested in submitting a nomination should visit the Literacy Award Web site at www.canadapost.ca/literacyawards or obtain a Call for Nomination brochure by writing to:

THE 2003 CANADA POST LITERACY AWARDS
2701 RIVERSIDE DRIVE SUITE NO610
OTTAWA ON K1A 0B1

Submissions must be received in Ottawa by Friday, May 30, 2003. The names of finalists will be announced in July; winners will be notified in August.

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For additional information about Canada Post’s Literacy program, or to arrange for an interview with a spokesperson, please contact the Media Relations office nearest you.

Halifax: (902) 494-4076
Montréal: (514) 345-4569
Québec: (418) 694-3161
Ottawa: (613) 734-2811
Toronto: (416) 204-4195
London: (519) 457-5208
Winnipeg: (204) 987-5356
Edmonton: (780) 944-3137
Vancouver: (604) 662-1388

THE 2003 CANADA POST LITERACY AWARDS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Individual Achievement Awards presented by Amazon.ca, celebrate the accomplishments of learners who have successfully overcome social or economic barriers by improving their literacy skills. Canada Post will present up to 26 awards – one English-speaking and one French-speaking nominee in each Canadian province and territory. Winners will each receive a computer.

Sponsored by Health Canada, the Educator Awards honour English and French-speaking educators, tutors and advocates who have demonstrated a commitment to literacy. Canada Post will present up to five awards in this category. Winners will each receive a computer.

Presented by the National Literacy Secretariat, the Community Leadership Awards honour non-profit, volunteer and labour organizations that have demonstrated long-term achievement, innovation, leadership and organizational excellence in furthering literacy. Up to 13 awards may be presented by Canada Post. Winners will each receive a $2000 cash prize.

Sponsored by The Lowe-Martin Group, the Business Leadership Award seeks to honour a single business organization that has demonstrated its commitment by establishing or supporting literacy programs in the workplace or in the community. The winning organization will be presented with a certificate of achievement by Canada Post.

In addition to our Presenting Sponsors (above), Canada Post wishes to acknowledge Official Sponsors: CGI Group Inc; the National Post, Maclean’s Magazine and Les Affaires; and Supporters: Les Hebdos du Québec and the Canadian Community Newspapers Association.