This Just In: Canada’s Walk of Fame Announces First Round of 2022 Inductees at Annual Music Under the Stars Soiree

(Toronto, ON) July 21, 2022 – 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.   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. Click here to learn more about Lionel Conacher. 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. Click here to learn more about Deborah Cox. 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. Click here to learn more about Just For Laughs. 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. Click here to learn more about Heather Reisman.   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. Click here to learn more about Arkells. For a complete list of past Inductees, along with more information on Canada’s Walk of Fame, visit www.canadaswalkoffame.com.   SOCIAL MEDIA 2022 Inductees on Twitter @Deborah_Cox    @justforlaughs 2022 Honourees on Twitter @arkellsmusic 2022 Inductees on Instagram @deborahcox    @justforlaughs   @heatherreisman 2022 Honourees on Instagram @arkellsmusic Instagram: @CWOFame Twitter: @CWOFame Youtube: youtube.com/CWOFame Facebook: facebook.com/CWOFame #CanadaThrives #CWOF #CWOFame Web Link www.canadaswalkoffame.com

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About Canada’s Walk of Fame Canada’s Walk of Fame is a national not-for-profit organization that inspires Canadians by proudly  shining a 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 gratefully acknowledges the support of its 2022 Partners: Bell Media, Cineplex Entertainment, The Slaight Family Foundation, RBC, WestJet, MLSE, Scotiabank, Federated Capital, Postmedia, Next Magazine, The Printing House, and Wildeboer Dellelce LLP. Canada’s Walk Of Fame Board of Directors, led by Board Chair Walter Schneider, Chairman & Founder, Waltmar Capital and President & Co-Founder RE/MAX Europe, includes: Vice-Chair Nick Di Donato, President & CEO, Liberty Entertainment Group; Tom Anselmi, Alternate Governor, Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club;  Randy Lennox; Kim Mason, Senior Vice President & Head, Private Banking Canada, RBC Wealth Management; Dan McGrath, Chief Operating Officer, Cineplex Entertainment; Jennefer Nepinak, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Reconciliation, Legacy Bowes; Karen Oldfield, Interim President & CEO Nova Scotia Health; Lewis Rusen, Vice Chairman, Korn Ferry; Ron Suter, Executive Vice President, NBCUniversal Television & New Media Distribution Canada; and, Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson, City of Toronto. 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. Media Contacts: Adrienne Kakoullis, Rise PR 416-450-6637 / akakoullis@risepr.ca Tran Nguyen, Centric PR 416-220-4285 / tran@centricpr.ca