SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 231

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
October 6, 2023 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 231 - Oct/6/23
Mr. Mike Morrice (Kitchener Centre, GP)
  • Oct/6/23 11:06:15 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, almost 20 years ago, shortly after immigrating from Lebanon, Majdi Bou-Matar founded MT Space, an incredible arts organization in the Waterloo region that centres marginalized and racialized artists and stories in our community. His goal at the time was to establish an international theatre festival within 10 years. Sadly, Majdi passed away suddenly last June. Our community continues to grieve his loss, but MT Space has shifted what we consider mainstream theatre in our community, and the festival Majdi envisioned years ago continues to grow. This year marked MT Space's full return to live and in-person theatre with IMPACT 23. Over the course of six days, it pretty much took over downtown Kitchener, bringing together artists from eight different countries to stage 20 productions indoors and outdoors. I thank Pam and the entire MT Space team and board for their leadership, for challenging our preconceptions of theatre and for their tireless work creating space for voices that need to be heard.
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Context: House Hansard - 231 - Oct/6/23
Mr. Martin Champoux (Drummond, BQ)
  • Oct/6/23 11:18:31 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, do not put away your festive summer spirit just yet, because there is still some life left in this year's festival season. This weekend, enjoy lively traditional music in a New Orleans atmosphere right in Drummondville at the second edition of the Trad-Cajun Festival at Woodyatt Park. This year, organizer Steve Veilleux has put together an amazing lineup that includes Salebarbes, Nicolas Pellerin, Les Grands Hurleurs, Lendemain de Veille and many others. Drummondville knows how to celebrate, and this weekend will be no exception. However, not everyone in the cultural industry feels like celebrating these days. Right now, arts promoters and festival organizers are getting only bad news from the government, including 25% to 30% cuts to their funding, often announced at the very last minute. They deserve our support. Our culture deserves more, better and quicker support than that. I want to thank festival organizers and arts promoters for showcasing our artists, and I want to wish Steve Veilleux and his crew a rip-roaring good time this weekend. Long live the Trad-Cajun Festival.
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