The Canadian Press — Toronto
“February” by Lisa Moore, a story based on the Ocean Ranger oil rig disaster off the coast of Newfoundland on Feb. 15, 1982, has won CBC’s Canada Reads contest.
This year, the annual battle of the books competition divided the country into five regions — British Columbia and Yukon, the Prairies and the North, Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces — and had Canadians vote to pick titles that represented their local culture.
Five panellists selected a book to champion from the most popular titles and debated which should win the contest.
Comedian Trent McClellan fought for “February,” actor Jay Baruchel of Quebec supported runner-up “Two Solitudes” by Hugh MacLennan, Ontario author Charlotte Gray argued for “Away” by Jane Urquhart, Olympic wrestler Carol Huynh picked “Indian Horse” by Richard Wagamese for B.C. and Yukon, and Ron MacLean defended “The Age of Hope” by David Bergen for the Prairies and North.
“February,” about a woman whose husband was among the 84 victims of the Ocean Ranger sinking in 1982, outlasted the other books in the elimination-style contest.
A one-hour recap of the debates and competition will air Saturday on CBC-TV at 12 p.m. ET.
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