Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, June 1, 2013

The curtain rises.

Silence descends.

A man in a black suit emerges.

Is he protagonist?

Antagonist?

Will he make us laugh?

Cry?

Will he elicit gasps?

Will he dance?

Will he sing?

What will he do?

The possibilities are infinite, as are the possibilities of art.

I don’t wish to disappoint, but I’m not here to sing or dance—I’ll leave that to the professionals. But I am here because, as they are for you, the performing arts are an important part of my life.

And they are important to the life of our country.

I have been moved by so many actors on screen and on stage; I have been stirred by singers, musicians and dancers; I have appreciated the ability of directors and producers; I have marvelled at the work of volunteers who work behind the scenes to support the arts.

They provide us with escapism, with enjoyment, with entertainment, yes. But they also provide us with enlightenment, with a better idea of who we are, as individuals, as a society, as a country, as a world.

And for proof, we need only to look at the work of our laureates.

Canada is a better place because of them, because of so many of us who support the arts, because, as an Arts Nation, we do this well.

Yesterday, at Rideau Hall, Sharon and I were honoured to present this talented group with their medals. Tonight, we celebrate their careers, what they have accomplished and what they will do in the future.

They share with us so much of their inner selves. They inspire us to chase our own dreams. They create a connection with the audience, and we, in turn, are connected to each other in our admiration of them.

That is what these men and women do.

I would like to congratulate the laureates once again this evening. You have embraced the arts and, tonight, we embrace you.

Thank you for all that you do for Canada and for the performing arts.