Lyle Burwell has made the 2018 CBC Nonfiction Prize longlist for On Bill C-104.

Lyle Burwell is a 66-year-old, semi-retired father of four, ages 11, 35, 39 and 41. He immigrated to Canada from the U.S. in 1969 and has lived here ever since. Starting at the age of 14, he has participated in the literary, musical and theatrical arts. His work has been recognized by Canada Writes, CBC Literary Prizes, the Ontario Arts Council, Baton Broadcasting Fund, Capital Critics Circle, CHEZ-106FM, the Ottawa Citizen, the Toronto Star and CITY-TV.

How DNA became legal evidence.

"My entry was inspired by Michael Manning, a hard drinking, working class ex-con and single father. In a race against the calendar, he single-handedly compelled the fractious 35th Parliament of Canada, as its final act before the 1995 summer recess, to unanimously vote to permit the use of involuntarily obtained DNA as evidence at trial for serious physical assaults. This new federal law allowed the Crown to charge serial rapist Gregory Bromby with the rape and murder of Michael's 15-year-old daughter, Tara. Had Michael not been successful, Bromby would have been released that August, having completed a sentence on another rape."

"In Dorval, Quebec, Pinewood Avenue runs between Javelin and Meadowvale, just north of Autoroute 20, under the flight path to nearby Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. Jets sometimes pass overhead low enough to count rivets. Other than that, Pinewood is a pleasant neighbourhood; shaded by majestic silver maples, modest single family homes lining the north side of the street, well kept low-rise apartment buildings lining the south."

The winner of the 2018 CBC Nonfiction Prize will receive $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, have their story published on CBC Books and attend a writing residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Four finalists will each receive $1,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts and have their story published on CBC Books.