Colleagues, today I’d like to share, with respect and admiration, the career and contributions of Sarah McLachlan, who is playing in Ottawa this evening.

Sarah is one of Canada’s most respected and beloved singer-songwriters. Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, she began playing music as a child, signed her first record deal while still a teenager and has built a remarkable international career that has spanned decades.

Sarah’s early albums established her as a thoughtful and emotionally resonant songwriter. Her 1997 record Surfacing made her a global star; songs like “Angel,” “Adia” and “Building a Mystery” became classics, earning her multiple Juno and Grammy Awards.

Sarah’s music has always stood out for its emotion, honesty, beauty and the way it connects deeply with listeners.

But Sarah’s influence goes far beyond her music. She made history in the late 1990s when she founded Lilith Fair, a touring festival that celebrated and showcased female musicians at a time when women were regularly left out of major concert lineups. Lilith Fair was a cultural turning point. It proved that audiences really wanted to hear women’s voices. It was a financial success for the artists, and as it swept across North America, it raised and donated millions of dollars for women’s organizations.

Through her art, advocacy and philanthropy, Sarah McLachlan has strengthened Canada’s cultural identity and enhanced its global reputation for creativity and compassion.

In Vancouver, she founded the Sarah McLachlan School of Music, which provides free music education to young people who might not otherwise have access to lessons or instruments. The school has helped thousands of children discover their creativity, confidence and a sense of belonging through music.

Sarah continues to lead by example. Recently when Jimmy Kimmel’s show was sanctioned by the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, and taken off the air, she cancelled her performance at the U.S. premiere of her documentary Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery. She chose to “ . . . protest the muzzling of free speech . . . ” and perceived “ . . . erosion of women’s rights, of trans and queer rights. . . ” When Kimmel was reinstated, he recognized her solidarity and had her play on his first show back.

Her documentary, by the way, is available on CBC Gem. It’s an incredible behind-the-scenes journey of how much Sarah had to battle to overcome gender-based barriers in her efforts to showcase women’s voices and how she changed everything for female artists.

By nurturing the next generation of artists and using her platform to promote inclusivity, empowerment and social good, Sarah has become not only a national icon but also a living symbol of Canada’s enduring values of generosity, equality and artistic excellence. Her contributions have inspired countless artists, opened doors for women in the music industry and demonstrated the power of compassion in leadership.

As I conclude, it isn’t a mystery that Sarah McLachlan has built. It’s a lighthouse built of talent, empathy and vision to show us a way forward. As she reminds us in her lyrics, “The world is on fire . . . tap into the water, try and bring my share . . . .”

She continues to represent the very best of Canadian creativity and spirit. Thank you, Sarah McLachlan. Have a great show tonight.