Statement made on 22 October 2009 by Senator Jean Lapointe (retired)
Hon. Jean Lapointe:
Honourable senators, unlike all of the jealous, envious and frustrated people who have so harshly criticized a man whom I consider to be a national — even an international — hero, Guy Laliberté, I would like to offer him my most sincere congratulations on his wonderful, magical space adventure.
I completely disagree with Péloquin, the poet who failed to see the virtue of the cause and refused to turn over the rights to his poem. I know this unusual man well, so I am sure that all he wanted was to make some money. Pélo certainly has many talents, but all the same, I am sad that one of our own, one of our visionaries and philanthropists, a true genius, was mistreated and maligned by his very own mudslinging countrymen. I really do not understand. I was deeply disappointed to see that the most enthusiastic applause came not from his own people, but from the Russians.
Personally, I would have been honoured to offer my song about water, L'eau, free of charge if it could have been part of this extraordinary event that united artists from all over who worked together to build awareness around the world of how our truly precious water is being used.
Guy Laliberté's mission was seen and heard around the world, and I am sure that it sparked a sense of urgency in many of us. How many of us knew that millions of children die each year because they do not have access to clean drinking water? This mission, regardless of what its detractors say, achieved its goal, which was to inform and raise awareness.
Hats off to you, Guy. Congratulations on this brilliant mission. Congratulations on Cirque du Soleil, which sparkles all over the world, and congratulations on your One Drop Foundation.
Honourable senators, if we had more people like Guy Laliberté on this planet, the whole world would be a better place. Thank you, Guy, for your generosity.