Mr. Speaker, today I am wearing yellow to honour a creative genius, the co-founder of Calgary's celebrated One Yellow Rabbit Theatre Company, Michael Green.
Tragically, last week Michael Green died in a car crash, along with two other respected members of the artistic community, just outside Regina. It is a tremendous loss not only for Calgary but also for the nation.
Michael Green curated and produced Calgary's 2012 Cultural Capital of Canada extravaganza. He was the fuse that lit an explosion of artistic creation.
Over 1,200 people packed the Jack Singer Concert Hall to the rafters yesterday to praise Michael. I remember just a couple of weeks ago, when I joined Michael's parade, along with a bagpiper, clowns on stilts, and dancers wearing horses heads, as we paraded through Calgary's downtown, much to the surprise and delight of lunch-goers.
He was absolutely fearless and fun. He showed us the transformative power of art. We are heartbroken over what we have lost, but we are grateful for what we have gained.