Rideau Hall, Friday, May 29, 2015

I am so pleased to welcome all of you to Rideau Hall for this celebration of artistic excellence.          

Let me start by asking: do you remember your first exposure to the world of performing arts?

Was it marvelling at the wonders of Mr. Dressup’s Tickle Trunk? Was it looking “waaaaay up!” with The Friendly Giant or singing along with Marie-Soleil? Or what kind of trouble Passe-Partout, Passe-Carreau and Passe-Montagne would get into?

The performing arts capture us at a very young age. And, for some of us, they never let go. That is certainly the case for our laureates tonight.

This evening, we present the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards to those who have created some of this country’s and the world’s most important and memorable performance art Canada has ever seen.

Atom Egoyan, the visionary auteur.

Walter Boudreau, the passionate composer and conductor.

Diana Leblanc, the exceptional actress and director.

Sarah McLachlan, the evocative songstress.

R. H. Thomson, the powerful storyteller.

Alongside fellow honouree Jean-Marc Vallée, the wonderful filmmaker and winner of the National Arts Centre Award, as well as Howard Shore and his protégé Nicole Lizée, participants of the Mentorship Program, you have given us a lifetime of memories. You have stirred our souls. Drawn us out in dazzling performances. Shared your visions with us through your talent, your creativity, your art.

You make films, theatre, television and music. Your creations have earned international praise because of their originality, intensity and relevance. Your work affects us so deeply. It matters to Canada and to Canadians, and to audiences around the world.

But today’s award is not simply an acknowledgement of your artistry. It’s also a way to celebrate and to say thank you for the many ways you are giving back to our country.

You have been generous with your time and talents. You’ve taken up causes near and dear to you.

You’ve mentored the next generation of artists. And you’ve inspired others to pursue their own dreams, just as you were inspired yourselves.

I am so pleased that tonight we also present the Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts to Michael Koerner. Mr. Koerner embodies the generosity of spirit that you all possess, and his commitment to the performing arts is so valued and appreciated.

I have mentioned all of you by name today to underscore one point. Behind the performances, behind the creation, behind the brilliance of art and giving, there are people. People who are artistic ambassadors for Canada, who are humanitarians, who are making this world a better place.

And so, let me thank you. Thank you for sharing your extraordinary gifts with us. Thank you for being so generous with others. And thank you for being here to receive this great and deserved honour.

Congratulations to all of you who are being honoured here tonight!