LAC Scholars Program

The following is the text of a press release from Library and Archives Canada.

The Library and Archives Canada Foundation is thrilled to announce Air Canada as a Founding Partner of the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) Scholars Awards Wednesday, December 18, 2019– Ottawa, Ontario –The Library and Archives Canada (LAC) Foundation, chaired by Jacques J.M. Shore, a partner at Gowling WLG in Ottawa, is thrilled to announce that Air Canada will be the Founding Partner of the recently created LAC Scholars Awards. The LAC Scholars Awards program was created to recognize the outstanding contribution of individuals who have dedicated their lives to the creation and promotion of our country’s literary and historical heritage.

The LAC Foundation was established by a group of passionate individuals to support LAC in making its vast, invaluable and treasured collection more accessible to Canadians from coast to coast to coast, and in sharing it with those around the world wishing to gain a greater appreciation of our country’s heritage. The Foundation will also focus on raising funds to support initiatives and partnerships
to grow and preserve the LAC collection.

"We are happy that Air Canada has come on board as the Founding Partner for the LAC Scholars Awards program which celebrates individuals who are a creative force in our cultural environment and who enhance the visibility and importance of LAC to every Canadian,” says Jacques Shore, chair of the LAC Foundation. “Air Canada is not just a leading light in Canada’s transportation industry – it also lends valuable support to the arts and culture in this country. Both LAC and the Foundation are very fortunate to have them as the founding partner of the LAC Scholars Awards, helping Canadian culture and knowledge reach new heights,” says Librarian and Archivist Leslie Weir of LAC.

“Air Canada is very proud to be a Founding Sponsor of the LAC Scholars Awards that recognizes the outstanding individuals who have contributed so much to Canada’s literary and cultural heritage. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the work of Library and Archives Canada, its vast collection, and these individuals who champion Canada’s historical and artistic treasures, and we congratulate the recipients of the inaugural LAC Scholars Awards,” says Ferio Pugliese, Senior Vice President, Air Canada Express and Government Relations at Air Canada. Through its partnership, Air Canada will support the LAC Scholars program and the annual awards ceremony.

The recipients of the first annual LAC Scholars Awards in 2019 were announced last April:

• Marie-Louise Arsenault
• Ronald I. Cohen
• Lawrence Hill
• Frances Itani
• Shelagh Rogers

The 2020 recipients of The LAC Scholars Awards will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held in Ottawa in April 2020.

Hopefully, in 2020 they will provide a balanced recognition to historical as well as to literary heritage.