Avril Lavigne, Gary Slaight Among Latest Walk Of Fame Inductees

By External Source

Singer Avril Lavigne, philanthropist and broadcast scion Gary Slaight, Roots founders Michael Budman and Don Green, and Cree/Metis actress Tantoo Cardinal are five new inductees named to Canada’s Walk of Fame.

Celebrating its silver anniversary this year, these five exceptional Canadians join previously announced 2023 Inductees, including a defender of human rights and social justice, Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella (Humanitarianism);  Canadian youth culture TV drama Degrassi (Arts and Entertainment); Canada’s record-breaking NHL sensation Connor McDavid (Sports and Athletics); political satirist and television TV personality Rick Mercer (Arts and Entertainment); and pioneering neuroscientist and oldest living Inductee at 105, Dr. Brenda Milner (Science, Technology and Innovation). 
 
Earlier, organizers of Canada’s Walk of Fame announced Canada’s Rock of Fame with 13 influential rock music legends from the ‘70s and ‘80s honoured at a special event set for Massey Hall on September 28. Named 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. It has yet to be announced who will perform on the night, but it’s expected that various singers and band members will be on stage alongside an all-star house band led by award-winning musical director Lou Pomanti.

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.  

The Walk of Fame will celebrate its anniversary with a special event set for Dec. 2 at Toronto’s Convention Centre with CTV broadcasting the event at a later date.

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 50^th 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 awards. 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.