Mr. Speaker, I am grief stricken today because one of my classmates from the Collège Maisonneuve died prematurely yesterday. Sylvain Lelièvre was a singer, songwriter, composer, and poet who started his career at the age of 15 by writing his first poems and composing his first songs, which led to him winning the grand prize of the 1963 “Chansons sur mesure” international competition.
A poet who chronicled everyday life, over the years, Sylvain Lelièvre gave us masterpieces such as Marie-Hélène , Petit Matin and Lettre de Toronto . He was awarded a Félix for best songwriter in 1994 for his album entitled Qu'est-ce qu'on a fait de nos rêves? , and the 2001 Félix for anthology/re-release/compilation of the year.
In addition to his work as an artist and teacher, Sylvain Lelièvre was a staunch advocate for songwriters' royalties. He believed strongly in developing and encouraging new talent. I remember him saying, in jest, “I have been considered new talent for 30 years now”.
His voice, his lyrics and his piano playing will remain etched in our memories forever. Hats off to a virtuoso who never had the pretensions to be one.