Mr. Speaker, Edmonton has lost one of its greatest cultural treasures: a former senator, a broadcaster, an Officer of the Order of Canada, and a truly brilliant jazz musician, the legendary Tommy Banks. He worked as a professional musician, music director of the Orion Musical Theatre, and coordinator of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, all before he was 20. The Tommy Banks Show, which he hosted from 1970 to 1974 and again from 1980 to 1983, delighted Canadians. As a senator, he championed the arts, the environment, and the ever important balance between security and government oversight.
He fully supported my decision to run for office.
When he arrived at one of my local events, I said, “Senator, now that you are retired, how do I refer to you?” His response, echoing his musical career and his deep humility, was, “'Hey man' will do.”
He was devoted to his wife Ida and was a doting dad and grandfather.
Mr. Speaker, through you to this great Canadian, I would simply say, “Hey man, rest in peace. You certainly earned it.”