Thank you, Madam Chair and colleagues. I appreciate the opportunity to be here today to present Bill S-202.

Bill S-202 is an act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act to create the position of parliamentary visual artist laureate. The parliamentary visual artist laureate position would be an officer of the Library of Parliament, like that of the current parliamentary poet laureate position. The selection process for this role would consist of the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons acting together to select three artists to reflect Canada's diversity. A committee chaired by the parliamentary library and composed of the director of the National Gallery of Canada, the Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada, the chairperson of the Canada Council for the Arts and the president of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts—or their designates—would select one artist for the role.

The mandate for this laureate position is to promote the arts in Canada through Parliament, including by fostering knowledge, enjoyment, awareness and development of the arts. In carrying out the mandate, the laureate may “produce or cause to be produced artistic creations, at the request of either Speaker, especially for use in Parliament on occasions of state”. They may also sponsor artistic events such as art exhibitions. The laureate can also advise the parliamentary librarian regarding the library's collection and acquisitions to enrich its cultural holdings.

As for the tenure of office, the parliamentary visual artist laureate would hold office for a term not exceeding two years, at the pleasure of the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons acting together.

This bill defines “arts” as “drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, crafts, photography, videography and filmmaking”. Canadian artists' contributions to our society and national identity cannot be understated. Art comes in all forms, and this legislation's definition of art broadly encompasses what the artist laureate will focus on.

As we struggled through COVID, many of us turned to the arts to cope with the loneliness, fear and anxiety that came with the pandemic. The arts provided a respite during this time and continue to do so. We should remember that Canada's arts community suffered these same symptoms but continued to produce their works for all of us to enjoy.

We should also keep in mind that the economic downturn affected our cultural community drastically. The arts are resurgent and have been recovering slowly but surely.

Canada needs a strong and vibrant arts sector. Part of the power of the arts is its way of breaking down barriers between people. Canada is a multicultural country, and art provides a creative outlet to help us understand each other. Artistic expression can be understood without using words, which allows us to learn and understand stories and perspectives across linguistic barriers.

The creation of a parliamentary artist laureate builds on the government's support for the arts since 2015. The parliamentary visual artist laureate would complement these commitments by creating an opportunity to celebrate Canadian visual arts and artists, and project a global image of open-mindedness, creativity and innovation.

Canadian artists from across the country—whether lifelong Canadians, immigrants, indigenous people or others—will benefit from having a parliamentary artist laureate in Ottawa. The appreciation of the arts unites us, and, in a multicultural country such as Canada, we should promote our many different art forms at every opportunity.

In summary, supporting Bill S-202 recognizes the importance of visual arts to the Canadian creative economy. It supports diverse artistic expression by Canadian artists and raises the profile of Canadian visual arts in Canada and abroad.

I look forward to the discussion we will have here today. I hope that Bill S-202 will receive support from each of the members of the committee, as well as the parties represented in the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage. I'd like to see it get back to the House so we can continue on with this.

Thank you for your time.

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