FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Toronto (September 22, 2020) — Last week, the CCBC issued a press release announcing the 2020 CCBC Book Awards shortlists and our plans to hold a small, socially-distanced event in Toronto to celebrate the excellent Canadian books for young people that were nominated. As we are sure you are already aware, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, along with recent rising numbers of cases in Ontario and the provincial government’s plans to limit gatherings, has meant that it is more vital than ever to limit social contact. Therefore, we have made the decision for the 2020 CCBC Book Awards celebration to be completely virtual. The event will be filmed partially in advance and partially live at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto and will be broadcast as part of the Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) on October 30th from 6 to 7:30 PM EST, as previously announced.
While we want to celebrate the creators and sponsors who make these awards possible, the safest option for all those involved is a purely digital platform. Working with TIFA and an advisory group, all efforts are being made to make this event a fitting homage to the nominees and the community, even when we can’t be together in one room.
The 2020 awards will be free and open for all to attend virtually. We are certain that the spirit that makes each gala special will live on in this new online format.
For more information, please contact:
Emma Hunter
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre
416 975-0010 ext. 2
emma@bookcentre.ca