Damian Warner © Photo by AJ Messier
Canada’s Walk of Fame is celebrating ten new inductions during this year’s broadcast special airing on Friday, December 17, 2021, on CTV. The incredible achievements of these Inductees have educated, empowered, and inspired Canadians from coast to coast to coast. This year, the organization marks its 200th induction, recognizing outstanding Canadians not only for their distinctive accomplishments, but for their philanthropy, advocacy, and contributions toward the greater good.
Ajay Virmani—Trailblazing Between the Streets and the Sky
Founder and CEO of Canada’s largest cargo airline, Cargojet, Dr. Ajay Virmani has committed $3 million to healthcare initiatives and social justice causes through the Virmani Family Foundation and the Cargojet Foundation.
Bret “Hitman” Hart—The Courage and Grit of a Champion
A 32-time champion, WWE Hall of Famer, and voted one of the top 50 Canadians of all time, Bret Hart put Canada on the map with his gold standard in wrestling.
Bruce Cockburn—The Voice of a Generation
With achievements spanning five decades, 350 songs, and 13 JUNO Awards, Bruce Cockburn is an Officer of the Order of Canada and is deeply respected for his activism on native rights and land mines to the environment and Third World debt, working for Oxfam, Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders, and Friends of the Earth.
Damian Warner—The Greatest Athlete on Earth
Damian Warner has taken his place as the greatest athlete on the world stage. He shattered numerous records at the 2020 Olympic Games this summer and is only the fourth athlete to surpass 9,000 points in the all-time history of the decathlon.
Frederick Banting, Charles Best, John Macleod, James Collip—The Team That Saved 300 Million Lives
A team of scientists at the University of Toronto were responsible for one of the most important breakthroughs in modern medical history—the discovery of insulin. 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin and the first Nobel Prize to be awarded to Canada.
Graham Greene—A Beloved Canadian Actor
Born on the Oneida Six Nations Reserve, Graham Greene is an Academy Award nominee who attributes his success to theatre training at Native Earth Performing Arts and the Stratford Festival
Jully Black—Canada’s Queen of R&B/Soul
Jully Black is a platinum and multi-award-winning international recording artist, songwriter, and Canada’s Queen of R&B/Soul. Her passion for philanthropy led her to found the 360 health, wellness, and lifestyle organization ‘100 Strong and Sexy’ and fitness movement ‘The Power of Step.
Keanu Reeves—Global Superstar and Hollywood’s Nice Guy
An iconic actor, producer, and director who has entertained audiences worldwide for more than three decades, Keanu Reeves was raised in Toronto and performed in various local theatre productions and television before becoming one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men.
Lieutenant-General (ret) The Honourable Roméo A. Dallaire—Advocate for Human Rights
The Honourable Roméo A. Dallaire served with great distinction in the Canadian Forces for over 30 years. He became a war hero as Force Commander of Rwanda’s United Nations Assistance Mission during the 1994 genocide and continues to dedicate his life to international humanitarian work and eradicate child soldiers.
Salome Bey—Canada’s First Lady of Blues
Salome Bey is a cultural icon whose influence in music and theatre reaches worldwide. Known for her extensive activism and advocacy work in the community, Bey contributed vocals to the 1985 song “Tears Are Not Enough,” recorded by a supergroup of Canadian artists to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief.
(Source: Canada’s Walk of Fame)
