And the Canada Post Literacy Awards finalists are…

50 individuals and organizations recognized OTTAWA (July 25, 2006) ÔÇô The ability to read this news item is something many of us take for granted, but for the Canada Post Literacy Awards finalists, itÔÇÖs an accomplishment that they can take great pride in achieving. Canada Post is pleased to announce the 2006 Canada Post Literacy Awards finalists ÔÇô outstanding examples of Canadian adult learners who put their fear of learning aside to significantly improve their quality of life. The awards also recognize educators, community associations and businesses who guide learners through their journey. Canada Post employee volunteers selected the 50 finalists from 218 nominations. A panel of literacy advocates, educators and business leaders have the difficult task of determining the winners in the categories of Individual Achievement, Educator, Community Leadership and Business Leadership. ÔÇ£Picking the winning submissions for these awards will not be easy, says Robert Waite, Senior Vice-President Communications and Stakeholder Relations. ÔÇ£But everyone who has made the journey to improved literacy skills, along with the people who helped them achieve their goals, is already a winner.ÔÇØ The winners of the 14th annual Canada Post Literacy Awards will be announced in late August. Provincial ceremonies honouring the winners will be held throughout the Fall. Individual Achievement and Educator category winners receive a notebook computer and Community Leadership recipients will receive cash awards of $2,000. The Business Leadership winner is recognized at the Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in September in Saskatoon. Additional information on the Literacy Awards and a complete list of finalists (including brief bio notes), are available at www.canadapost.ca/literacyawards. -30- For further information, or to arrange an interview with a local finalist, the media may contact: For more information, the media may contact: Regina: (306) 761-6306 Halifax: (902) 494-4074 Qu├®bec: (418) 694-3161 Toronto: (905) 214-9391 Vancouver: (604) 662-1388 Montr├®al: (514) 345-4572 Ottawa: (613) 734-2811 London: (519) 457-5282 Edmonton: (403) 944-3137