Toronto, ON - At a special ceremony in Toronto last night, ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and Alison Gzowski presented the 2004 Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit to Paul-Émile Cormier, a columnist with Journal l’Étoile in New Brunswick, for outstanding achievement in enhancing public awareness of the literacy issue in his community. This marks the third consecutive year in which a Maritime journalist has been honoured with the Gzowski. Mr. Cormier is the first francophone to receive this award.

Since 2001, Cormier has written a weekly literacy column for the Journal l’Étoile, a french-language newspaper distributed in southeastern New Brunswick. In that time, he has penned 118 articles on literacy. His subject matter ranges from profiles of local literacy programs and adult learners, to highlighting the socio-economic consequences of low literacy skills and lobbying local and provincial governments to put literacy on the political agenda.

“Paul-Émile Cormier is a local literacy champion on both a professional and personal level,” explains ABC CANADA president Christine Featherstone. “Not only was the selection committee impressed with the quality, quantity and scope of Mr. Cormier’s articles related to literacy, but also his personal commitment to improving literacy rates in his community through his exemplary volunteer efforts.”

Cormier’s support for literacy began over 20 years ago, when he organized evening classes for adult literacy learners in the school where he was principal. Since then, he has volunteered his time to eight literacy committees and two regional boards, including acting as president of the local literacy council.

“It is a great honour for me to receive an award as prestigious as the Gzowski,” says Cormier. “Having heard so much about this famous man and having listened to his radio shows, I feel proud to have my name associated with his, and the great cause that he promoted so passionately.”

In addition to receiving a personalized award, a $1,000 donation will be made in Cormier’s name to Conseil d’alphabétisation de Kent-Sud. This non-profit literacy organization works to raise awareness of the importance of French literacy and provide information on Community Academic Services Programs (CASPs) in Kent County South, New Brunswick.

Past Gzowski award winners include last year’s recipient, Alan White (Telegraph-Journal), who has written numerous articles on literacy and education issues in New Brunswick since 1996; Joel Jacobson (Halifax Herald), whose column, Bright Spot, regularly features articles promoting the importance of literacy throughout Nova Scotia; 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; and 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.

The Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit was developed by ABC CANADA in 1993, in honour of broadcaster and writer Peter Gzowski, to recognize the talent, effort and commitment required to achieve quality reporting on issues related to literacy. The Gzowski memorializes Peter’s remarkable work in the field.

ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation is a national charity committed to promoting adult and family literacy to the general public and to the private sector. ABC CANADA’s focus is on public awareness programs, providing promotional support to local literacy groups, and conducting research to further the development of a fully literate Canadian population. For more information, visit www.abcmediaroom.ca.

Contact: Alexandra Dunsmuir, Director of Communications ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation Tel.: 416-218-0010 ext. 125