Mr. Speaker, January 22 saw a record seven Oscar nominations for Canadian artists or related to Canadian film productions.
The film Juno features Haligonian Ellen Page who is nominated for best actress, and Canadian Jason Reitman who is nominated for best director. Torontonian Sarah Polley received a nomination for best adapted screenplay for Away from Her and for the same film Julie Christie is nominated for best actress.
Not to be outdone, Canadian David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises has its lead, Viggo Mortensen, up for best actor.
In addition to these five nominations, two short films have been given the nod. They are the NFB's Madame Tutli-Putli by Montrealers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, and I Met the Walrus by Torontonian Josh Raskin.
On behalf of all of my colleagues, I would like to wish these fantastic nominees the very best, and I hope that Telefilm Canada will work hard promoting these films to members of the Academy.
The envelope, please.