June 5, 2026

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I am pleased to welcome all of you to Rideau Hall this evening for the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Ceremony.

This ceremony is my last one as Governor General.

I would like to begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation.

By acknowledging their enduring connection to this land, we honour their stories and continue to foster reconciliation through understanding.

That spirit of connection, understanding and shared story is also at the heart of the performing arts.

They help express who we are to one another, as Canadians and as human beings.

Audiences across our beautiful country and from around the globe get to know Canada by the brilliance of our performing artists. And like these awards, they recognize excellence when they see it. 

Laureates, you represent us so well, and in doing so, make us proud to be Canadian. You have touched our hearts and elevated our spirits.

In moments of uncertainty and change, the arts remind us of what endures: our creativity, our self-expression and our shared humanity.

The arts create space for dialogue that brings us closer together, while also helping us see the world from different perspectives.

Our laureates represent a diversity of voices, each one unique, all of them Canadian, and shaped by passion and purpose.

Susan Benson

James Cameron

Sylvain Émard

Daniel Lavoie

Tonya Williams

Sae Hoon Chung

Barbara Hannigan

Taken together, each of your voices represent the very best of Canada and all that we aspire to be.

Congratulations to each of you on this well-deserved honour.

Thank you. Merci. Miigwetch. Nakurmiik.