The Assembly met at 1:30 p.m.

Prayers

INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

PRESENTING PETITIONS

READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS

PRESENTING REPORTS BY STANDING, SELECT AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

JONI MITCHELL ART EXHIBIT

Hon. Mr. Romanow: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was so mesmerized by your call that I was a little late on getting up to my feet.

Mr. Speaker, members of the Assembly, there is a famous novel whose title everyone knows and often quotes: You Can’t Go Home Again. Well the only problem is that the title is wrong. As a case in point this Friday night, this week, at the Mendel Art Gallery in my hometown, Ms. Joni Mitchell is coming home.

Joni Mitchell, of course, the Saskatchewan songwriter and composer of some of the most haunting and lyrical music of the last four decades. As Maclean’s magazine says, she is, quote: "one of the most influential and celebrated songwriters of her generation" — a world class performer.

But Joni Mitchell is also a visual artist of no small talent and beginning Friday, the Mendel will be exhibiting 81 of her paintings, sketches, and montages. The exhibit is called "Voices", an apt description considering the variety of styles she has shown through the years in both her music and her visual art.

One characteristic of the exhibit, as we are told, is the strong artistic and personal attachment that Joni has to the Canadian Prairies. This is revealed in several strong landscapes. Those of us who know and love the Prairies aren’t surprised by this because while she lives partly in Los Angeles, she still is a prairie, Saskatchewan girl.

Which is where I began and close, Mr. Speaker — Joni Mitchell is coming home, in person and in spirit. I welcome her, I know all members welcome her, and I urge all of us to travel to Saskatoon to view the exhibit by one of Saskatchewan’s favourite and most talented daughters. Thank you very much.

Some Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Members: Blah, blah, blah, blah, etc... The Assembly adjourned at 8:29 p.m.