(Toronto, ON) May 1, 2023 – 25 years and over 200 Inductions permanently etched in history.
Canada’s Walk of Fame, the country’s highest mark of achievement, commemorates its Silver Anniversary as Canada’s Gold Standard.
In a landmark year that will honour Canadian trailblazers of the past 25 years, Canada’s Walk of Fame announced today the first round of 2023 Inductees that will usher in the next 25 years of celebrating Canadian greatness. They include:
- The Honourable Rosalie Silberman Abella (Humanitarianism) – A Champion of Human Rights and Social Justice
- Degrassi (Arts and Entertainment) – The Iconic Canadian Youth Culture Phenomenon
- Connor McDavid (Sports and Athletics) – Canada’s Record-Breaking NHL Sensation
- Rick Mercer (Arts and Entertainment) – Beloved Television Superstar and Influential Commentator
Canada’s Walk of Fame has remained steadfast in its commitment to celebrate and inspire Canada’s greatest achievers, evolving from a small gathering in Toronto in 1998 to become recognized as a national cultural institution with year-round programming and events across the country that tell the stories of Canadians who have made an impact.
“As Canada’s Walk of Fame celebrates its first quarter-century and looks towards the future, we remain dedicated to highlighting and celebrating Canadian changemakers, trailblazers, and influencers who have a lasting cultural impact on the fabric of Canadian identity,” says Jeffrey Latimer, CEO Canada’s Walk of Fame. “Our first round of Inductees exemplifies the values of respect, excellence, contribution to community, and inspiring other Canadians. We can’t wait to share what’s in store for this year’s milestone Celebration, which will be filled with moments of retrospect, gratitude, and Canadian pride.”
The annual star-studded Canada’s Walk of Fame 25
th Anniversary Celebration will take place in Toronto on December 2, 2023, and will feature memorable performances and tributes from today’s brightest stars and esteemed Alumni from the past 25 years. A special broadcast will air at a later date on CTV. More Inductees will be announced in the coming months, along with this year’s Allan Slaight Music Impact and National Hero Honourees.
Plans are underway for special public events, programming and experiences to commemorate 25 years of celebrating Canadian greatness. Follow #CWOF25th for updates.
About the first round of 2023 Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductees:
The Honourable Rosalie Silberman Abella (Humanitarianism) – A Champion of Human Rights and Social Justice
The Honourable Rosalie Silberman Abella is a Canadian jurist who was the first Jewish woman appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada. Throughout her career, she has been a champion of human rights and social justice, known for her ground-breaking judgments on issues such as equality, diversity, labour law and freedom of expression and has been recognized with numerous awards and honorary degrees for her contributions to the legal profession and Canadian society. Born in a Displaced Persons camp in Stuttgart, Germany, and immigrated to Canada with her family as a child, Abella studied law at the University of Toronto and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1972. She was appointed to the Ontario Family Court in 1976, making her the youngest and first pregnant judge in Canadian history at 29. Abella was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada in 2004.
Click here to learn more about the Honourable Rosalie Silberman Abella.
Degrassi (Arts and Entertainment) – The Iconic Canadian Youth Culture Phenomenon
For over four decades, watching Degrassi has been a rite of passage for teenagers everywhere, providing a mirror into their passions, struggles and triumphs as they navigate the road to selfhood. Always at the vanguard of inspiration, education and entertainment, Degrassi is one of the most iconic brands in youth culture, unafraid to tackle even the most challenging stories. No issue has been too controversial or too real for Degrassi to explore, often breaking new ground on such subjects as teen pregnancy, racism, AIDS, eating disorders, child abuse, learning disabilities, gender identity, violence and more. Owned by WildBrain, Degrassi was originally created by Linda Schuyler and the late Kit Hood in 1979. Schuyler served as Executive Producer on the series, with Stephen Stohn joining as Executive Producer from 2001 to 2017. Degrassi has become a Canadian institution celebrated worldwide and recognized with dozens of awards across its six series, over 500 episodes and four TV movies, including two International Emmy Awards, two Teen Choice Awards and a Peabody.
Click here to learn more about Degrassi.
Connor McDavid (Sports and Athletics) – Canada’s Record-Breaking NHL Sensation
Connor McDavid is a Canadian ice hockey superstar widely regarded as the best player in the world. During the recently completed 2022-23 NHL season, McDavid has his best NHL season scoring 64 goals and tallying 153 points, becoming the first NHL player in over a quarter century to top 150 points in a season. McDavid was drafted first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and, after an outstanding rookie season, was named the youngest team captain in NHL history at 19. Known for his unparalleled speed, skill, and agility on the ice, McDavid has won numerous NHL awards and accolades throughout his career, including the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer (5 times), the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s top goal scorer, the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player (2 times) and the Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL’s Best Player as voted by NHLPA members (3 times). Connor is very active in the Edmonton community working on numerous charitable initiatives and programs important to him and his Oiler teammates. McDavid is considered by many to be one of the top players to ever play in the NHL, and at the young age of 26, will continue to dominate the league for years to come.
Click here to learn more about Connor McDavid.
Rick Mercer (Arts and Entertainment) – Beloved Television Superstar and Influential Commentator
Satirist, comedian, screenwriter, actor and humanitarian Rick Mercer is regarded as one of Canada’s most beloved and influential comedians. He has turned his acerbic wit and voracious interest in politics into a career as one of Canada’s foremost political and social commentators. An Officer of the Order of Canada, he has also excelled as a humanitarian through his involvement with numerous charities and is known for his advocacy work on issues such as climate change, LGBTQ rights, and mental health awareness. Rick has received ten honorary degrees, 30 Canadian Screen Awards and two Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards, including one for lifetime achievement, among many other honours.
Click here to learn more about Rick Mercer.
For more information on Canada’s Walk of Fame, visit
www.canadaswalkoffame.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA
2023 Inductees:
Canada’s Walk of Fame
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