Statement by the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, on the Presentation of the 2012 Governor General's Performing Arts Awards

OTTAWA, May 5, 2012 /CNW/ - Arts and culture are essential to our identity, our society, and our economy. Each year, the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards recognize the talent and the creativity of esteemed Canadian artists who have distinguished themselves through the richness and the diversity of their work. The success that our artists enjoy and the honours they receive both at home and abroad make us all proud.

The Awards were presented this evening at a gala event at Ottawa's National Arts Centre. On hand to present the honours to this year's award laureates were a number of well-known personalities, including novelist Salman Rushdie, writer-actor Matt Stone, and rock musician Pete Townshend.

On behalf of all Canadians, I am pleased to congratulate this year's lifetime achievement award winners: Janina Fialkowska, Paul-André Fortier, Denis Marleau, Deepa Mehta, Rush (Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart), and Mary Walsh. Congratulations also to Earlaine Collins (Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts) and Des McAnuff (National Arts Centre Award). We are all grateful for the talent and hard work of all these creators and for their contribution to our culture and to our identity as Canadians.

For more information (media only), please contact:

Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788