The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to acknowledge two of our talented writers from this province who were recently recognized on the national stage.

Megan Gail Coles, for her novel, Small Game Hunting at the Local Coward Gun Club; and Michael Crummey, for his novel, The Innocents, were both shortlisted for the most coveted literary award in Canada, the 2019 ScotiaBank Giller Prize.

Mr. Speaker, this prestigious award acknowledges the very best in Canadian fiction and brings recognition to Canadian authors and literature both at home and abroad.

The shortlist for the Giller prize is a remarkable achievement, and an opportunity to celebrate the success of these and other homegrown writers. To be two of only six finalists shortlisted from 117 submissions speaks to the incredible creative and literary talent in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, through our cultural action plan and investment programs, we are very proud to be a part of raising and advancing the profile of Newfoundland and Labrador’s authors and artists in our country, and around the world

Mr. Speaker, I ask all Honourable members to join me in congratulating Megan Gail Coles and Michael Crummey for their shortlist selection of the 2019 Giller Prize. Thank you.