The 2009 Canada Day Poster Challenge

Exactly 23,600 students responded with enthusiasm and creativity to the 2009 Canada Day Poster Challenge, whose theme was the 2010 Winter Games motto — With Glowing Hearts/Des plus brillants exploits. With the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games right around the corner, each region of the country displayed hearty enthusiasm and this year’s theme was well chosen to engage young Canadians aged five to 18 in the spirit of this unique event.

One entry most impressed the judges — the one from 15-year-old Allison Forseille of Saskatchewan, who is the national winner of this year’s challenge. Thirteen finalists — one from each province and territory — have been chosen. You can view their art in the Fun Zone.

Allison’s drawing depicts what represents Canada best: maple leaves, a Canada goose, the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, mountains, water, a lighthouse, a bobsleigh, the 2010 Winter Games mascots and Canadian fans. “The cheering fans are not only welcoming the world and Olympians to Canada, they are also cheering for the pure beauty that our country has to offer,” Allison said. “In my poster, I also depict cultural diversity in Canada by clothing the fans in the colours of other countries.”

Manitoba finalist - Jennifer Bruneau's drawing Her work is now the official poster for Canada Day and has been distributed across the country. “Drawing and being creative is something that I really enjoy,” Allison explained. “I just recently learned how to airbrush and I applied this technique to parts of my poster. I don’t draw as much as I would like due to school, sports, work and other activities.”

This is her third participation in the national contest; in 2007 she won first place in her age category. It’s the first time that Allison is attending the Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, along with the 12 other provincial and territorial finalists. “I have always entered the contest because it gives me a good excuse to put aside time for drawing. I also wanted to try and win a trip for my family to go to Ottawa,” she said.

Allison is not only attending the celebrations in Ottawa — this year she also wins a special grand prize consisting of an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2010 Winter Games. She said, “I’m still completely astounded that I get to attend the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in my home country. My family and I are thrilled and excited to be able to cheer on our Canadian athletes. We know that we’ll attend the Opening Ceremony, and the number one event on my list is definitively to watch the National Hockey Team play.”

New Brunswick finalist - Joshua Bastarache's drawing

Sixteen-year-old Jennifer Bruneau of Manitoba came second, while eight-year-old Joshua Bastarache of New Brunswick placed third.

The Canada Day Poster Challenge was launched for the first time in 1987 as a national project by the Department of the Secretary of State, which is now a part of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Every year, the department invites young Canadians to visually express what inspires them about their country. If you would like to receive a copy of the official Canada Day poster (with a calendar on the back), please contact your regional Canadian Heritage office.