The final Inductees for 2023 will be announced in the coming months, along with the Allan Slaight Music Impact, Community and National Hero Honourees
Canada’s Walk of Fame 25th Anniversary Celebration will take place on December 2nd in Toronto; Broadcast to air on CTV at a later date
(Toronto, ON) August 15, 2023 – Celebrating 25 years of Canada’s Walk of Fame, five new esteemed Inductees will be added to the famous “walk” for the biggest celebration of Canadian excellence in the organization’s history, each a trailblazer in their respective fields, making a lasting imprint on Canada’s cultural fabric. Today’s announcement includes the co-founders of the iconic ROOTS CANADA celebrating 50 incredible years as a marquee Canadian brand, MICHAEL BUDMAN and DON GREEN (Entrepreneurship & Philanthropy), the multi-award-winning actress who broke barriers for Indigenous actors, TANTOO CARDINAL (Arts & Entertainment), global superstar AVRIL LAVIGNE (Arts & Entertainment), and philanthropic champion of Canadian culture, arts and music, GARY SLAIGHT (Arts & Entertainment).
“For 25 years, Canada’s Walk of Fame has celebrated more than 200 inductions, recognizing some of the most accomplished, influential, and inspiring trailblazers, record-breakers, change-makers, and superstars of the world – whom we are so fortunate and proud to call as Canadians,” said Jeffrey Latimer, CEO of Canada’s Walk of Fame.
These exceptional Canadians join previously announced 2023 Inductees, including a defender of human rights and social justice, Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella (Humanitarianism); the Canadian youth culture phenomenon Degrassi (Arts and Entertainment); Canada’s record-breaking NHL sensation Connor McDavid (Sports and Athletics); beloved television superstar and influential commentator Rick Mercer (Arts and Entertainment); and Canada’s pioneering neuroscientist and oldest living Inductee at 105, Dr. Brenda Milner (Science, Technology and Innovation).
Glass Tiger performs at the Canadian Tire Centre. Photo: Renée Doiron
In addition, Canada’s Walk of Fame will also welcome 13 of the country’s most influential rock music legends from the ‘70s and ‘80s to its ranks in a special additional induction event, Canada’s Rock of Fame, taking place on September 28th at Massey Hall. The Inductees are April Wine, Chilliwack, Glass Tiger, Lee Aaron, Lighthouse, Loverboy, Max Webster, Michel Pagliaro, Platinum Blonde, PRISM, Rough Trade, The Parachute Club, and Trooper. Presented alongside official partners Anthem Entertainment and Live Nation, Canada’s Rock of Fame is a once-in-a-lifetime event that will feature a night of tributes, live performances, special guests and a reunion of Canadian DJ legends.
Canada’s Rock of Fame is the first of two induction ceremonies in 2023 as part of the organization’s milestone year events. The annual star-studded Canada’s Walk of Fame 25th Anniversary Celebration at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre will take place on December 2, 2023, honouring this year’s Inductees. A special broadcast will air at a later date on CTV.
The final Inductees for 2023 will be announced in the coming months, along with this year’s Allan Slaight Music Impact and the Community and National Hero Honourees.
About the five newly announced Canada’s Walk of Fame 2023 Inductees:
Michael Budman & Don Green (Entrepreneurship & Philanthropy): From Canadian “Roots” to A Global Lifestyle Brand
Michael Budman and Don Green, co-founders of the globally successful premium outdoor lifestyle brand Roots Canada, shared summers attending camp in Algonquin Park. It was there that they developed their appreciation for nature and Canada, and where the idea of an outdoor footwear and apparel concept was born, uniting the best of the city and the cabin. With Michael and Don at the helm, Roots started its journey to become one of Canada’s most respected and loved brands. Roots is known for its high-quality products, world-class leather factory and retail shops, cultural relevance, and commitment to social responsibility. As the company celebrates its 50th anniversary on August 15, 2023, Roots is a Canadian success story that has grown to more than 120 stores across North America, 118 stores in Asia and an eCommerce platform that ships to more than 18 countries worldwide. Click HERE for Michael and Don’s full bio.
Tantoo Cardinal (Arts & Entertainment): An Icon of Canadian Film and Television
Tantoo Cardinal is a multi-award-winning actress of Indigenous descent who has appeared in more than 130 film, television and animation projects throughout her 50-year career and is still going. She recently made her 2023 Cannes premiere in Killers of the Flower Moon, directed by Martin Scorsese, and is considered one of the most recognizable Indigenous actresses in the world thanks to supporting roles in the Oscar-winning, Dances With Wolves, and Legends of the Fall with Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt. Her first starring role was in 2018’s Falls Around Her. She was a series regular on the ABC television series Stumptown and in her soon-to-air Marvel series, Echo. Tantoo received a Lifetime Achievement recognition from the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and the Governor General’s Award. She was named a member of the Order of Canada for her significant contribution to the growth and development of Indigenous performing arts and her advocacy for Indigenous people and the environment. Click HERE for Tantoo’s full bio.
Avril Lavigne (Arts & Entertainment): Global Superstar
Avril Lavigne has made history, smashed records, and consistently blazed a trail of her own as an uncompromising force in music and culture. Beyond selling 50 million albums worldwide with 12.5 million units sold in the U.S. alone, she has notched eight GRAMMY® Award nominations in categories such as “Best New Artist” and “Song of the Year” twice for “Complicated” and “I’m with You.” In addition, she has received eight JUNO Awards, including “Artist of the Year,” and multiple JUNO Fan Choice Award wins. Her catalogue comprises the septuple platinum Let Go [2002], triple-platinum Under My Skin [2004], double-platinum The Best Damn Thing [2007], gold-selling Goodbye Lullaby [2011], gold-selling Avril Lavigne [2013], and Head Above Water [2019] highlighted by definitive smashes such as “Complicated,” “Sk8er Boi,” “Girlfriend,” “Here’s To Never Growing Up,” and “Head Above Water.” As such, she remains “one of the Soundscan-era’s top-selling artists releasing albums in the U.S.,” and “the third bestselling Canadian female artist of all time.” Click HERE for Avril’s full bio.
Gary Slaight (Arts & Entertainment): Visionary Philanthropist and Broadcast Industry Leader
Gary Slaight, the President and CEO of Slaight Communications Inc., Slaight Music, and The Slaight Family Foundation, has dedicated his career to promoting and nurturing Canadian culture. He started working in the music industry in promotion roles and eventually became the CEO of Standard Broadcasting, founded by his late father and 2020 Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee, Allan Slaight. Gary transformed the company into a leading force in Canadian broadcast radio. Committed to making a difference, Gary continues the family’s philanthropic legacy through his leadership of The Slaight Family Foundation, established in 2008, which supports various causes, including healthcare, social services, arts and culture and at-risk children and youth. Through the Foundation’s innovative approach to philanthropy, $195M has supported nine unique initiatives including health care, Canadian children and youth, Indigenous youth, seniors, human rights of women and girls, international NGOs, mental health, food security and support to help Toronto’s theatre industry recover from the pandemic. Gary’s passion for music and philanthropy is further evident through Slaight Music which was established to develop programs supporting emerging Canadian Music artists. Click HERE for Gary’s full bio.
For more information on Canada’s Walk of Fame, visit www.canadaswalkoffame.com.
Partners
Canada’s Walk of Fame gratefully acknowledges the support of its 2023 Partners: Bell Media, Cineplex Entertainment, The Slaight Family Foundation, RBC, Air Canada, MLSE, Scotiabank, FAX Capital, NBCUniversal, Postmedia, Next Magazine, The Printing House, Wildeboer Dellelce LLP and InterContinental Toronto Centre.
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About Canada’s Walk of Fame
Now celebrating its 25th year, Canada’s Walk of Fame is a national not-for-profit organization that inspires Canadians by proudly shininga light on extraordinary achievers and their journeys. Canada’s Walk of Fame recognizes the significant impact of Canadian accomplishments and provides the foremost national platform to celebrate achievement in the fields of Arts & Entertainment, Sports & Athletics, Entrepreneurship & Philanthropy, Humanitarianism, and Science, Technology & Innovation. Current programs include the RBC Emerging Musician Program, the Community Hero and National Hero Programs, the Hometown Stars initiative, including charitable donations to our Inductees’ causes, and the nationally televised broadcast designated by the CRTC as a program of national interest. Canada’s Walk of Fame has over 200 inductions to date, with stars having a permanent place of tribute on the streets of Toronto’s Entertainment District. For a complete list of Inductees along with more information on Canada’s Walk of Fame, visit: www.canadaswalkoffame.com
Canada’s Walk of Fame was established in 1998 by founders Bill Ballard, Dusty Cohl and Peter Soumalias, with Dianne Schwalm and in partnership with Gary Slaight.
Canada’s Walk of Fame is a registered charity. Charitable Registration Number 889896924RR0001.
