Mr. Speaker, today is National Canadian Film Day. This year, there are more than 2,000 free screenings taking place across Canada and in 50 countries around the world.
Canada is home to exceptional screen talent, including award-winning actors Shamier Anderson and Stephan James, brothers who grew up in my riding of Scarborough—Agincourt. People may recognize them from films like John Wick or Selma and from series like the new Canadian comedy Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story. When the brothers co-founded their production company, they named it Bay Mills Studios after their Scarborough neighbourhood. When others called Bay Mills “at risk”, their mother said it was only at risk of being excellent, a sentiment her sons clearly took to heart.
Their story captures what Canadian film does best: reflecting who we are, where we come from and the excellence we produce when talent is given the chance to shine.