TORONTO, ON - November 03, 2016 /CNW/ - On November 7, over 1,500 Canadian book lovers will gather to celebrate the 2016 Scotiabank Giller Prize finalists at Scotiabank Giller Light Bash events across the country. The Scotiabank Giller Light Bash -- Canada's most popular alternative Giller party -- is held in support of Frontier College, a national non-profit literacy organization.

Originally organized as a house party by a group of friends, the Scotiabank Giller Light Bash has grown into one of the publishing industry's biggest parties hosted in seven Canadian cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Toronto, and Halifax. Now in its 15^th year, the fundraiser continues to raise awareness for literacy through an entertaining evening featuring a live broadcast of the Scotiabank Giller Prize. Guests will enjoy the fun of speculation on which book will take home the coveted prize, and hear local luminaries advocate for their chosen nominated book. All proceeds from the events support Frontier College and provide essential literacy programs for children, youth and adults across the country.

"The value of literacy cannot be taken for granted, and the ability to read and understand the written word is critical to our everyday lives. Literacy is the key to so many opportunities. Events such as the Scotiabank Giller Light Bash help raise awareness and provide funding to help make literacy more accessible in our communities," said Stephen Faul, President and CEO, Frontier College.

While the Bash supports a serious issue, the night promises to be fun-filled.

"Scotiabank has a deep and long-time commitment to supporting arts and culture in Canada and is steadfast in our pledge to build a stronger future for young people across Canada," said Jacqueline Ryan, Vice President of Sponsorships at Scotiabank. "At Scotiabank, we know that the arts enrich our communities and our lives in meaningful ways, and we are proud to support Frontier College in its efforts to bring to bring literacy and learning to people to help them reach their full potential. We invite all booklovers to join in the Scotiabank Giller Light Bash to celebrate great works of art by talented Canadian fiction writers."

Scotiabank Giller Light Bash locations:

• Halifax - Atlantica Hotel, 8:00 - 11:00 p.m.
• Toronto - Daniels Spectrum, 7:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
• Thunder Bay - Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel, 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
• Winnipeg - McNally Robinson Booksellers, Prairie Ink Restaurant, 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Regina - MacKenzie Art Gallery, 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
• Calgary - Wurst, 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Vancouver - CBC Studio 700, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

For tickets and information visit www.gillerlightbash.ca

About Frontier College

Founded in 1899, Frontier College is Canada's original literacy organization. We recruit and train volunteers to deliver literacy programs to children, youth and adults in communities across the country. Through a network of thousands of volunteers, Frontier College helps Canadians improve their literacy and increase their opportunities. We believe that literacy is a right. For more information, visit www.frontiercollege.ca.

About Scotiabank

Through our global community investment strategy, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2015, Scotiabank contributed $67 million to help our communities around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and Asia-Pacific. We are dedicated to helping our 23 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 88,000 employees and assets of $907 billion (as at July 31, 2016), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). Scotiabank distributes the Bank's media releases using CNW. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

For more information, please contact 
Meredith Roberts
Manager, Communications
Frontier College
mroberts@frontiercollege.ca
1-800-555-6523 ext. 324 (office) 
416-624-6778 (mobile)