Statement by the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, on the Presentation of the CBC Short Story Prize and the Prix de la nouvelle Radio-Canada

OTTAWA, March 26, 2012 /CNW/ - Each year, the CBC Short Story Prize and the Prix de la nouvelle Radio-Canada help support emerging Canadian talent by highlighting original works by writers in both official languages.

Our Government is committed to ensuring that all Canadians have access to a diverse range of Canadian-authored books. That is why we have implemented programs like the Canada Book Fund, which brings Canadian works to readers at home and abroad. Each year, the publishers supported by the Fund release more than 6,500 new works by more than 4,000 Canadian writers and translators.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I congratulate this year's finalists and winners, Daniel Karasik (CBC Short Story Prize) and Geneviève Jannelle (Prix de la nouvelle Radio-Canada).

(media only), please contact:
Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788