Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute and acknowledge one of Canada's greatest arts patrons, Joan Chalmers.
Instead of receiving gifts last night at her birthday celebration, Ms. Chalmers took the opportunity to announce a $1 million donation to 21 of her favourite arts organizations. Ms. Chalmers described the donation as one family's attempt to keep the arts and artists of this country alive and vibrant.
Donations of this nature demonstrate the outstanding commitment to the arts by patrons like the Chalmers family who understand that for Canada's arts industry to thrive there must be a commitment from both the public and private sectors to work together in support of the arts.
Last night's announcement came at the Chalmers awards ceremony in Toronto which is funded through an endowment established in the 1970s.
Congratulations to all last night's winners and a heartfelt thank you to Ms. Chalmers for her leadership and longstanding commitment to the arts in Canada.