Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute and congratulate one of my constituents, Mr. Greg Gatenby, who has been named the third recipient of the WNED Steuben Canadian Arts Award. Mr. Gatenby was presented with his award on Tuesday, February 27, in Toronto.
Greg Gatenby is a poet, author and founder of the International Festival of Authors in Toronto. He is also artistic director of the Harbourfront reading series, which welcomes the world's finest and most influential authors to read their work at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto.
Greg has been an outspoken advocate for writers and for freedom of expression. He was one of the five founding members of the reconstituted PEN Canadian centre.
In 1989 Greg was given the city of Toronto literary award. In 1991 he was made an honorary lifetime member of the League of Canadian Poets. In 2000 he was named to the Order of Canada. I congratulate Greg. This is another award that is well deserved.