Mr. Speaker, this Friday, April 23, is Canada Book Day, the largest single day celebration of reading and book buying in Canada. It is also a day to celebrate Canadian authors. Communities throughout our country will participate in events, including book giveaways, contests, award announcements, readings and author signings.
World Book Day was declared by UNESCO in 1995 and since then has been celebrated all over the globe. Our contribution, Canada Book Day, is organized by the Writers Trust of Canada, a national charitable organization dedicated to the advancement and nurturing of Canadian writers and writing.
The federal government supports Canada Book Day through the Book Publishing Industry Development Program.
Books are windows into worlds, real and fictional, revealing our souls, our fears and our aspirations. They challenge us to learn about ourselves and to be better for it.
On Canada Book Day, I invite my constituents and all other Canadians to read a book, share a book, or give a book to someone. Spread the written word and celebrate Canada's literary wealth.