The 2011 Governor General's Literary Awards

Louise Dupré is the 2011 laureate of the Governor General's Literary Award in the Poetry category (French language) for her book "Plus haut que les flammes".

Erin Shields is the 2011 laureate of the Governor General's Literary Award in the Drama category (English language) for her play "If We Were Birds".

Patrick deWitt is the 2011 laureate of the Governor General's Literary Awards in the Fiction category (English language) for his book "The Sisters Brothers".

The Governor General’s Literary Awards, administered by the Canada Council for the Arts, are Canada’s oldest and most prestigious awards for English- and French-language Canadian literature. In addition to the monetary award, each laureate receives a specially-bound copy of the winning book, created by Montreal book-binder Lise Dubois.

During the award ceremony the Governor General offered the following words: "On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my sincere thanks—to all recipients of this award, past and present, to the former governors general and their spouses who have lent their support to the literary arts, and to the Canada Council for its dedication to fostering excellence in this country."

His Excellency honoured the laureates of the 75th edition of the Governor General’s Literary Awards, in the English and French categories of fiction, poetry, drama, non-fiction, children’s literature (text and illustration) and translation.