Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Percy Hatfield is hoping the third time is a charm for a bid to create Ontario's first poet laureate and name it after the late musician, writer, and activist Gord Downie.
The lead singer and primary lyricist for The Tragically Hip, one of Canada's most iconic bands, died from a rare form of brain cancer at the age of 53 in October of last year.
The New Democrat, tells AM800 News it would be tough to find a more suitable name to attach to the position.
"There is a direct connection between lyrics, poetry, and literature," says Hatfield. "No one better resembles that in Canada than the writer of so many of The Tragically Hip big songs, and that's Gord Downie."
He points to the iconic button worn by the Kingston native, seen in hundreds of photos, as an example of who Downie was as an artist and a person.
"He's got his blue jean-jacket on and a yellow button over his right chest in black letters that says 'open minds, open books, open hearts' and that's what it's all about," says Hatfield.
It's more than a symbolic position and it's something the province needs, he added.
"If you can get young people to open books and do more reading and open their minds to literature and to poetry, you've got them for life," Hatfield says.
The poet laureate would be required to write poetry, occasionally for use in the legislature. The recipient would also visit schools to read poetry and arrange workshops, and advise the legislative library on its collection and acquisitions.
The bill passed first reading in Ontario's Legislature with unanimous consent Thursday afternoon.