I would like to mention Charlie Kitts and Jim Hunter, who have done a great job of promoting Ottawa Valley fiddle music and have helped fiddlers get performances around the valley.

Let me tell you a little bit about where I perform. Fiddle music is welcomed in many places. It is an important part of our community. I've volunteered at many seniors' residences. The music provides great enjoyment, and I feel that this gives back to the community. Fiddle music is welcomed at heritage and community fairs. A couple of places I've played at are the St. Catharines fiddle festival, the Niagara-on-the-Lake strawberry social, puppet festivals, and Celtic festivals, just to name a few; I've played at many. There are also larger venues across Canada. I've played at shindigs that feature the Fitzgeralds and Patti Lamoureux, and even before 500-plus people who are at historic fairs just to hear the fiddle music.

I've also volunteered at not the flashiest but certainly the most important community events—fundraisers for the Niagara soup kitchen and for Out of the Cold support programs for disadvantaged people. This past weekend I played in the Country Music Heart jamboree in Carleton Place, which was a fundraiser for the Ottawa Heart Institute, just to name a recent performance I've played at.

The fiddle community across Canada is very close. Fiddlers show a lot of respect for each other and their unique styles of fiddling. We enjoy many styles in Canada: Celtic, French Canadian, old-time, Ottawa Valley, and Prairie, also known as Métis music. Fiddlers are part of a sharing community that has a proud tradition of coming together to play and entertain. I really can't explain it, but fiddling is a great feeling. Playing with fellow musicians and seeing the smiles on people's faces, I'm very happy to be part of Canada's fiddle community.

Mr. Chairman, let me tell you that there is support and excitement for a national fiddling day. People all over Canada will appreciate and celebrate the day. Since fiddling is a social thing, people will come together to play music, dance, and enjoy themselves on Canada's fiddling day. I hope my personal story helps to demonstrate how fiddle music has impacted me, the people around me, and my community.

I would like to conclude my presentation by playing a tune on my fiddle called Lieutenant Governor's Waltz. It's a waltz composed by the great fiddler Calvin Vollrath, who's from Saskatchewan.

[Musical Presentation]

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