Canada’s Walk of Fame is pleased to announce the first group of Inductees to the Class of 2022 with four exceptional Canadians who have had a profound impact and legacy in their respective fields. During its annual Music Under the Stars event held at Casa Loma in Toronto ON, an intimate gathering of guests were on hand to celebrate the newest Inductees set to join the distinguished ranks of Canada’s Walk of Fame including one of the Top 50 businesswomen in the world, a chart-topping R&B songstress, multidisciplinary sports hero, and a comedy institution that has been the Canadian launchpad for the biggest international comics.
“This year’s Inductees are emblematic of the Canadian success story. Their impact reaches far beyond Canadian culture and society, but into the echelon of global influence, and they continue to inspire all Canadians,” said Jeffrey Latimer, CEO of Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Additional Inductees will be announced in the coming weeks, representing the organization’s five pillars of recognition: Arts and Entertainment; Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy; Humanitarianism; Science, Technology and Innovation; Sports and Athletics.
Inductees and Honourees will be celebrated at a star-studded in-person gala on December 3, 2022 taking place at Beanfield Centre in Toronto, ON that will feature memorable performances and tributes from Canada’s brightest stars and Canada’s Walk of Fame alumni. A special broadcast will air at a later date on CTV.
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The First Round of Canada’s Walk of Fame 2022 Inductees are:
Lionel Conacher (Sports and Athletics) – Canada’s Greatest All-Around Athlete
Lionel Conacher (1900-54) was reputedly the greatest all-round athlete Canada has ever produced. As a child, he was obsessed by the desire to excel in sports and, taking up football, lacrosse, wrestling, hockey and baseball, he developed remarkable endurance and superb physical skills. In 1920, Conacher won the Canadian light-heavyweight boxing championship, and the following year he led the Toronto Argonauts to a Grey Cup victory. “The Big Train” then devoted himself to professional hockey. A defenceman for National Hockey League teams in Pittsburgh, New York, Montreal and Chicago, he won two Stanley Cups and was later inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, as well as four other Halls of Fame. In 1937, Conacher retired from professional sports and after a stint in the Armed Forces, became a Member of Parliament. Thirteen years later, he was named the outstanding Canadian male athlete of the first half-century by The Canadian Press.
Deborah Cox (Arts and Entertainment) – Award-Winning Canadian Singer, Actress and Broadway Star
World-renowned singer, songwriter, actor and Broadway star, Deborah Cox always knew her calling was to be on stage. So with the fire lit in her soul, Deborah began chasing her passion – music – landing her breakthrough gig as a backup singer for Canadian icon Céline Dion. In 1993, Deborah caught the ear of legendary producer Clive Davis, signed a record deal and released her debut album. Known for her powerful, soulful voice and sultry ballads, the Grammy nominee, multiple JUNO Award winner and Broadway star has since scaled the charts racking up 13 No. 1 hits and six critically-acclaimed albums. An ally to LGBTQ and marginalized communities, Deborah is a true Canadian music icon who became the first Black woman to be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame earlier this year.
Just For Laughs (Arts and Entertainment) – Canada’s International Comedy Institution
Canada’s world-renowned Just For Laughs have made funny their business since 1983. From its humble beginnings at the Saint-Denis Theatre in Montreal, today Just For Laughs is the most important player in the global comedy industry. An international powerhouse of multi-platform comedy content, each year it entertains millions of spectators with its festivals on Canadian and international stages, in Montreal – the biggest comedy event in the world – as well as in Toronto, Vancouver; Austin, U.S.A., Sydney, Australia and London, U.K. A mecca for the comedy legends and up-and-coming greats, Just For Laughs stages its own comedy shows and musicals; produces touring shows and industry conferences; and broadcasts digital and televised content.
Heather Reisman (Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy) – Canada’s Most Recognized Literacy Advocate
Heather Reisman is a nationally esteemed business leader, unwavering philanthropist, and Canada’s most recognized advocate for literacy and the joy of reading. Founder and chief executive officer of Indigo, and co-founder of the e-reading platform Kobo, the Financial Times listed Reisman as one of the top 50 businesswomen in the world. She has also been included in the Women’s Executive Network list of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women, and in 2015 was the first woman to be inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. Executive Producer of the Emmy Award winning documentary Social Dilemma, she holds 8 honorary doctorates and is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
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The 2022 Canada’s Walk of Fame Honourees are: Arkells – Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour
Each year, Canada’s Walk of Fame presents the Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour to a remarkable musician, duo, or group that continues to make a positive impact with their talent and benevolence in the field of music. Arkells are this year’s recipient and will be recognized during the Canada’s Walk of Fame Gala.
