Proudly presented by the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Canada Day Challenge invites youth between 8 and 18 years old who live in Canada to express their pride in being Canadian by submitting an entry inspired by the theme STRONG. PROUD. FREE.

Enter the contest in the following categories:

 

-DRAW IT! (submit a poster design)

-SNAP IT!  (submit digital photographs)

-WRITE IT! (submit a piece of creative writing)

 

Participation can be through schools, clubs, associations, or individual interest!

On the road to Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017, the Canada Day Challenge is an excellent opportunity for young people to explore Canada’s history, culture and identity and to celebrate everything that makes Canada the strong, proud and free country it is today.

 

This year, we also encourage youth to learn more about the defining moments that helped to shape our country. For example, February 15, 2015, will mark the 50th anniversary of the National Flag of Canada.

 

This special Flag Day is the perfect opportunity to learn more about how our flag was created and what it means to us.

 

Prizes:

 

Winners from across Canada will be selected for a chance to win great prizes from our partners. Winning entries will also be displayed at the Canadian Museum of History from June to September 2015.

 

Nine national finalists (three from each category) will win an all-expenses paid grand prize trip for two to Ottawa to visit Canada’s national institutions and to celebrate Canada Day 2015 on Parliament Hill, as well as visit exciting sites in the National Capital region.

 

Check out pictures from last year’s grand prize trip online! It was an unforgettable time for our national winners. They were given VIP access to exciting places and they got to meet some of Canada’s most inspiring personalities, including the Governor General of Canada, singer Nadja, singer-impersonator Véronic DiCaire, and Serena Ryder! On July 1st, they were treated to VIP seating for both the Canada Day Noon Show and the iconic Evening Show and fireworks display.

 

And, there’s more! One lucky winner* in the Write It! category will be invited to spend a week in Ottawa with our partner, Encounters with Canada, Canada’s largest youth forum, to learn about Canadian institutions, explore exciting career options, develop their civic leadership skills and live an extraordinary bilingual experience! (*For participants between the ages of 14 and 17 only.)

 

The Canada Day Challenge is open now and will accept submissions until March 20, 2015.

 

You can view the videos by last year’s National Winners filmed during their trip at  [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTTmFQYqzvXLtx___TDVLGMXHIWX_ja35 ]

 

Please www.challenge.pch.gc.ca to learn more.

 

Best of luck to all who participate!

– The Canada Day Challenge Team