Honourable senators, this evening, the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, the NAC, will present a symphonic version of The Salmon of the Mitis River by Christine Beaulieu, accompanied by the NAC Orchestra conducted by Alexander Shelley.

In this ecological fable, the creator invites audience members to put themselves in the skins of wild salmon, discover their impressive journey and imagine how humans have transformed their reality. This show was presented at Les Jardins de Métis in 2021 and 2022 by Mr. Legris, who is with us today, and the performances were very well received.

Following this evening’s show, audience members will be invited to a talkback on stage in Southam Hall hosted by the artistic director of the NAC French Theatre. Architect Pierre Thibault and actor Roy Dupuis, cofounder of the Fondation Rivières, will also be part of the conversation.

As you know, the Atlantic salmon is threatened. In eastern Quebec, salmon runs have been declining precipitously for the past two years. The species’ future looks grim because there are no juveniles. Part of the problem is that surface waters in the Gulf of St. Lawrence are warming. However, more research is needed to better understand what’s going on.

The Salmon of the Mitis River is incredibly timely. Our futures intertwined, both humankind and salmon must contend with climate change. We must adapt or perish.

As legislators, it is our duty to demand science-based public policy. A better understanding of the mechanisms threatening the salmon of the Mitis River and the Atlantic salmon is crucial to better understanding where the human species is going. Thank you. Meegwetch.