ABC Life Literacy Canada

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Submissions now being accepted, $1,000 donation made to literacy organization of winner's choice

Toronto, ON – May 14, 2009 - ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation has announced a call to all Canadian journalists for submissions to the 2009 edition of the Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit. Deadline for submissions is June 26, 2009.

The Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit was developed by ABC CANADA, in honour of broadcaster and writer Peter Gzowski, to acknowledge the great contribution made by a Canadian journalist, in any media, in raising awareness of the adult literacy issue in this country.

The competition is open to all professional journalists working and residing in Canada. Journalists may submit their own work, or nominate the work of a fellow journalist. Entries may be of either a local or national interest, and may be based on reporting analysis, commentary, special section, feature or series. Entries will be accepted from the following categories: newspaper (daily, community, regional or national), magazine, television news, television feature (news magazine/talk show), radio interview and Internet. Entries for the 2009 competition must have been published, broadcast or posted online between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008.

The selection committee will evaluate each article or broadcast based on specific criteria including accuracy of information and balanced reporting on subject matter, thoroughness of analysis, journalistic style, and the importance of the commentary in generating awareness on the literacy issue. The winner will be notified by Friday, July 31, 2009.

Award presentation, October 7

The winner will be honoured at a special award presentation on October 7, 2009 in Toronto. A $1,000 donation will be made, in the winning journalist's name, to a literacy organization in their community. Past Gzowski Award winners include:

• Karen Kawawada (Waterloo Region Record) was selected for her feature story “Books and Beyond,” which details the challenges faced by adult learners. The article was particularly compelling because it showed the intergenerational impact of low literacy on families;
• Alex Shprintsen (CBC-TV The National), for his series of two documentaries, entitled “Canada’s Shame.” His work profiled Jacques Demers, former coach of the Montreal Canadiens who had lived with low literacy, and Lynda Richards, a Saskatchewan learner whose literacy acquisition provided her the skills and confidence to realize personal and professional dreams. The series also addressed Canada’s literacy levels relative to those of other countries;
• Mike Aiken (Kenora Daily Miner & News and the Lake of the Woods Enterprise), for his ongoing coverage of social and literacy issues in the Kenora, Ontario-area Aboriginal community;
• Irene Davis, a Toronto-based freelancer was recognized for her commentary in the Facts & Arguments section of The Globe and Mail, reflecting on her more than 15 years volunteering as an adult literacy tutor;
• Sean Fine (The Globe and Mail), was recognized for his editorials addressing various issues related to literacy, including calling on Canada in 2004 to reach the goal of 'most literate nation';
• Paul-Émile Cormier (Journal l'Étoile), was the first Francophone to receive this award. Cormier has written a weekly literacy column for the French-language newspaper in New Brunswick since 2001;
• Alan White (Telegraph-Journal) for numerous articles written on literacy and education issues in New Brunswick, especially focusing on the impact of low literacy skills and promoting local literacy programs and literacy advocacy;
• Joel Jacobson (Halifax Herald), who has written numerous articles promoting the importance of literacy in Halifax, and throughout Nova Scotia;
• Peter Calamai (Toronto Star) for his career-long commitment to the literacy issue. Mr. Calamai directed a six-month study of literacy in Canada that included the first measurement of literacy levels among Canadian adults;
• Denise Donlon (MuchMusic) for her creation of the Rock'n'Roll'nReading programs that invited prominent rock musicians to talk about reading and encourage young viewers to read.

ABOUT PETER GZOWSKI

The late Peter Gzowski, former journalist, broadcaster and longtime Board member of ABC CANADA, was a dedicated supporter of the literacy cause. His work as a print journalist included roles as the entertainment editor of the Toronto Star, editor of Star Weekly and editor and managing editor of Maclean's. He became a household name as the host of CBC Radio's This Country in the Morning. An accomplished author, he wrote several nonfiction books before returning to CBC Radio as host of Morningside in 1982. A project Peter took great pride in was the series of golf tournaments which he founded in aid of literacy. In 1986, Peter vowed to raise $1 million in his lifetime to benefit community-based literacy organizations. To date the PGI Golf Tournaments for Literacy - Founded by Peter Gzowski have raised more than $10 million net, making this initiative the most successful fundraiser for literacy in Canada.

For more information or to download a copy of the Gzowski Award entry form, visit: abc-canada.org/en/media/journalism_award

ABOUT ABC CANADA

ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation is Canada’s private-sector voice championing adult literacy. The national charity envisions a Canada where individuals, regardless of their circumstances, are provided the opportunities to increase the skills that prepare people for realizing their full potential at work, at home and in the community. To learn more, visit www.abc-canada.org.

Contact:
Anthony Alfred, Director of Communications
ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation
Phone: 416 218-0010, ext. 126
Toll-Free: 1-800-303-1004, ext. 126
E-mail: aalfred@abc-canada.org

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