Mr. Speaker, the National Art Centre's production of The Bush Ladies: Life in the Backwoods of Upper Canada was a fine contribution to Women's History Month.
This show stitches together the written witness of four Canadian pioneer women, Catharine Parr Traill, Susana Moodie and Anne Langton, who all lived in Peterborough riding, and Anna Jameson.
Their record of life in Upper Canada is a tribute to their cohorts and an inspiration for all Canadians.
Catherine Parr Traill, a writer and botanist, is the most famous of them. Her book The Backwoods of Canada is a literary and scientific account of her first three years in Canada. Her sister, Susana Moodie, is best known for her book Roughing it in the Bush .
Peterborough's tradition as a home for literary women has continued through talented authors like Margaret Laurence and recent winners of governor general's awards.
Each summer this tradition is celebrated by the Literary Festival of the Village of Lakefield which I encourage all members to attend next year.
The contributions to our country of these four special women were most worthy.