Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the presence in the gallery of one of Canada's most well-known and internationally acclaimed film makers, Mr. Atom Egoyan. Mr. Egoyan, who is a guest of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, is here with his wife, Arsinée Khanjian, who also appears in her husband's most recent and critically lauded film The Sweet Hereafter , and their son Arshile.
Atom Egoyan was the most decorated film maker at this year's Cannes International Film Festival, with The Sweet Hereafter taking home three awards, including the Grand Prix, the highest international honour ever awarded to a Canadian feature film.
I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the producers of The Sweet Hereafter , Alliance Communications Corporation, and to thank Telefilm Canada for its financial contribution to the film.
On behalf of all Canadians I would like to say to Mr. Egoyan that we are all extremely proud of what he has accomplished for Canadian films and for Canadians.