Statement made on 06 October 2010 by Senator Maria Chaput
Hon. Maria Chaput:
Honourable senators, Western and Northern Canada are burgeoning creative environments. The number of French-language authors, composers and artists in these areas is growing as never before.
Because of the low density of the francophone population in the West — in every province and territory — artists cannot make a living from performing. The Réseau des grands espaces was set up to consolidate this market. The purpose of this network is to create conditions to help build identity, stimulate artistic development and create a loyal audience.
On September 23, 2010, I was very happy to attend one of the network's cultural activities, Chant'Ouest, which took place in Saint-Boniface, Manitoba. I heard young francophone artists from all parts of Western Canada. These artists had composed many of their own songs and performed them with verve, conviction and professionalism.
More and more, francophone artists in Western Canada want to stay in their own milieu to create and develop as professionals. These artists have something to say and a way of saying it that deserve our attention.
I want to extend my congratulations to all the finalists: Ariadne Dicaire and Guy Daniel of Manitoba; Christie-Anne Blondeau and Amanda Proznik of Saskatchewan; Ilyas Mahfoud and Natacha Homerodean of Alberta; Pascale Goodrich-Black of British Columbia; and Sylvie Painchaud of the Yukon.
Two winners were selected by a jury of music industry professionals and will now move on to the semi-finals of the Festival international de la chanson de Granby.
From 1990 to 2009, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia took turns hosting this annual event, which has featured more than 130 artists. A school, showcase and competition all in one, Chant'Ouest was created to recruit artists from Western Canada and prepare them to face the challenges of the music industry. Chant'Ouest is the largest French-language professional singing showcase in the West.
Congratulations to all the artists and the organizers of this event.