Ottawa, Saturday, May 3, 2008

Here we are, together again to celebrate the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Gala.

Thank you so much for being here tonight as supporters of Canadian art.

From up here, one can see that the stage is a meeting place.

It is a place for looking, for listening and feeling, for communicating in a way that extends beyond that moment on stage.

This place—one of expression, openness and sharing—is not external to life; it is sustained by life.

The artists we are honouring this evening embody the power of the imagination to reflect the diversity of human experience; they have the unique ability to open our eyes to what is real.

What we want to say to artists tonight is that, for me as for you, life would lose all meaning without our creative minds, who question us, who challenge us, who reinvent the world before our very eyes, who stir our blood and awaken our spirits, who lift us up toward beauty.

Art is beautiful, art is good, art is generous, art is passion, art is knowledge, art is happiness.

Whenever a young person tells me how art has saved their life, I am always deeply moved.

Yes, art has that power to heal.

There are so many reasons for us to tell you, the recipients of this year’s Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards, not only how proud we are of you, but also how grateful we are to you because through your gifts, we can all live a fuller, richer life.

I love you. We love you.