Each year the League of Canadian Poets sponsors the prestigious National Poetry Contest. From the thousands of entries received, the judges choose three prize winners and a list of honourable mentions. The annual anthology publishes the finest poetry of the year.

First prize winner is Susan M. Stenson of Victoria, BC, for her poem “When You Say Infidelity.” Second prize winner is Peter Richardson of Morin Heights, Quebec, for “Dig.” Third prize winner is Brent MacLaine of Charlottetown, PEI, for “Southward to Kissimmee.” Other well known poets include Bert Almon, Antonia Banyard, Diane Brebner, Cathy Ford and Jay Ruzesky. Also included are the winners of the 1999 special competition for Canadian elementary and secondary school students.

Vintage 1999 is an ideal introduction to the vitality and diversity of the Canadian poetry community. Previous editions have been adopted widely for use in schools, colleges and universities.