Mr. Speaker, last night was the time for cultural awards.
First of all, I must congratulate the artists receiving awards and honourable mentions at the Métrostar gala. During the gala, a touching and well-deserved tribute was paid to Gilles Latulippe, who has made the decision to retire after 33 years.
There was another memorable event, the film Oscars, where Canada was honoured. A Canadian production by the National Film Board, “The Old Man and the Sea”, and Quebecer François Girard's “The Red Violin”, also received awards.
Although all of this recognition and presentation of awards takes place in glamorous surroundings, let us remember that anyone wishing to make artistic and creative endeavours his or her career often faces a huge struggle.
Culture transcends borders. Each artistic endeavour is one more manifestation of the freedom of expression and creativity whose objective is the full realization of a society.