Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate the Governor General for the outstanding concert she hosted and presented last Sunday on the grounds of Rideau Hall. This was a marvelous celebration of the 50th anniversary of the appointment of the first Canadian born governor general and of the seven subsequent Canadian governors general.
While three-quarters of a million Canadians watched the live show on CBC television and Radio-Canada, 10,000 of us gathered on the soggy lawns of Rideau Hall in Ottawa braving mud and rain to listen to, singalong with and dance to a splendid range of Canadian musical talent: Gordon Lightfoot, Richard Margison, Susan Aglukark, Deborah Cox, Natalie MacMaster, le Quatuor François Bourassa, Measha Brueggergosman, the Barenaked Ladies, and the list and the beat goes on.
Through all the rain and challenges of live production the Governor General herself presided full of grace, enthusiasm and humour.
As usual, she was impeccable in both official languages.
I wish to congratulate Her Excellency for a great evening and a job well done.