Statement by the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, on the Presentation of the Governor General's Literary Awards

OTTAWA, Nov. 13, 2012 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada recognizes that arts and culture are important for economic growth in our communities. The men and women who dedicate themselves to the arts play an essential role in our society.

Every year, the Governor General's Literary Awards celebrate the best in English- and French-language Canadian literature in seven categories: fiction, poetry, drama, non-fiction, children's text, children's illustration, and translation. I am pleased to congratulate the recipients of the 2012 Governor General's Literary Awards.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to commend the Canada Council for the Arts, which presents these prestigious annual awards. I applaud the authors, translators, and illustrators from across Canada who have distinguished themselves through the outstanding quality of their works and their commitment to arts and culture in Canada.

SOURCE Canadian Heritage