Mr. Speaker, today I would like to offer congratulations to Yann Martel, Rohinton Mistry and Carol Shields who have had their novels shortlisted for the 2002 Booker prize. The three novels are: The Life of Pi , Family Matters and Unless . It is truly a banner day when three of the six authors selected by the Booker Prize jury are Canadian.
The Booker Prize rewards the best literature of the Commonwealth and our authors have long been recognized as among the best.
As a true believer in the strength of Canadian literature, I am not surprised that our authors continue to receive the recognition that they so richly deserve. As readers we have always sought out those authors who can tell stories that resonate, that speak the truth about all of us, where we come from and where we will go as individuals and as a country.
I urge all Canadians to join me as I thank these three authors for sharing their stories with Canada and with the world.