Juno Humanitarian Award
Juno Humanitarian Award
The Humanitarian Award (formerly the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award) is awarded by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) to Canadian musicians who have made significant humanitarian efforts. Since 2006, it is given annually every Juno Awards ceremony.Waters, whose name was attached to the award until 2017, was one of the founders of CHUM Limited. His name was removed from the award title effective with the 2018 Juno Awards.
| Sl | Name | Country | Flag | Year | Awarded For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Sarah Lois Harmer | Canada | 2025 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. | |
| 17 | Tegan and Sara | Canada | 2024 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. | |
| 16 | Susan Aglukark | Canada | 2022 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. | |
| 15 | The Tragically Hip | Canada | 2021 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. | |
| 14 | David Foster | Canada | 2019 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. | |
| 13 | Gary Slaight | Canada | 2018 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. | |
| 12 | Buffy Sainte-Marie | Canada | 2017 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. | |
| 11 | Arcade Fire | Canada | 2016 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. | |
| 10 | Rush | Canada | 2015 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. | |
| 9 | Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida | Canada | 2014 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. | |
| 8 | Tom Cochrane | Canada | 2013 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. | |
| 7 | Simple Plan | Canada | 2012 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. | |
| 6 | Neil Young | Canada | 2011 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. | |
| 5 | Bryan Adams | Canada | 2010 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. | |
| 4 | Sarah McLachlan | Canada | 2009 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. | |
| 3 | Paul Brandt | Canada | 2008 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. | |
| 2 | Tom Jackson | Canada | 2007 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. | |
| 1 | Bruce Cockburn | Canada | 2006 | for outstanding humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and/or whose impact can be felt worldwide. |
Juno Humanitarian Award Laureates (2030 ~ 2021)
Sarah Lois Harmer
Juno Humanitarian Award 2025
Sarah Harmer: The Voice of Canadian ActivismSarah Harmer is a highly regarded Canadian singer-songwriter whose career is equally defined by her critically acclaimed music and her tenacious environmental and human rights activism. Known for her powerful voice and lyrical storytelling, Harmer has released six solo albums, earning two JUNO Awards, eight nominations, and two Polaris Prize shortlists.Beyond the stage, Harmer is a dedicated advocate, primarily focusing on protecting water and natural habitats in her home province of Ontario. A cornerstone of her activism was the 2005 co-founding of Protecting Escarpment Rural Land (PERL). This grassroots effort successfully fought against a massive quarry on Mount Nemo, part of the UNESCO-designated Niagara Escarpment. Her JUNO-winning 2006 documentary, Escarpment Blues, chronicled her efforts to raise funds and awareness for the cause, showcasing her ability to weave activism directly into her art.Harmer's commitment to social justice extends globally and nationally, often partnering with the Nobel Women’s Initiative. In 2012, she traveled to Central America to report on violence against women related to resource industries and investigated the effects of the Alberta Tar Sands on First Nations communities in Northern Alberta and British Columbia. She later served as an official Intervener in the National Energy Board hearing on the Enbridge Line 9 pipeline, connecting the local environmental risks to broader climate breakdown issues.More recently, Harmer has continued her advocacy by supporting organizations like Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and War Child, and by co-founding the Reform Gravel Mining Coalition (RGMC) in 2022. She uses every available public platform—from joint statements with figures like Margaret Atwood and David Suzuki, to performances at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights—to mobilize citizens for collective action and achieve positive, real-world change.
Tegan and Sara
Juno Humanitarian Award 2024
While it may be natural to assume that Tegan and Sara have been creating massive hits like ‘Walking With A Ghost’ and ‘Closer’ since their childhood in Calgary, the genesis of this internationally renowned pop-indie duo actually began a bit later. It was during their high school years that Tegan and Sara began playing their stepdad’s acoustic guitar in secret, crafting songs together in the basement of their home. With the encouragement of her broadcasting and communications teacher Mr. Lee, Tegan recorded a demo tape of songs she and Sara had written as her grade eleven year-end project – marking the first official launch of Tegan and Sara.Since their inception, their music has sold over a million records, while their foray into various media, including TV and books, showcases their versatility. Their many JUNO Awards, Governor General’s Performing Arts Award and Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of Calgary underscore their significant contributions to music and advocacy. Although much to be proud of, their crowning achievement, thus far is the Tegan and Sara Foundation, which fights for health, economic justice and representation for LGBTQ girls and women.Tegan and Sara have openly identified as queer since the beginning of their career and have been outspoken feminist advocates for LGBTQ equality and gender justice. The Tegan and Sara Foundation is an extension of their work, identity and longstanding commitment to supporting and building progressive social change. Launched in 2016, the foundation raises awareness and funds, fighting for equality and justice through its flagship program and supporting grassroots organizations, activists, and communities that often go unrecognized by major funding institutions.
Susan Aglukark
Juno Humanitarian Award 2022
Born in Arviat, Nunavut, Aglukark grew up with no musical influences to draw from and her early years in Ontario were spent learning the ropes while performing on local stages. Her early writing was a series of songs drawn from the one thing she knew: a life of uncertainty. Twenty-five years and nine albums later, she is now right where she belongs: singing, songwriting and falling in love with the creative process. Aglukark’s 10th album, The Crossing, is set for release on April 29.In 1995, Aglukark became Nunavut’s first ever JUNO Award winning Inuk singer-songwriter, taking home two awards including ‘Best New Solo Artist’ and ‘Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording’ for her album Arctic Rose. That same year, she released her second album This Child, and its first single “O Siem” became a Top 10 hit in Canada. Her impressive list of accolades includes several honorary Doctorate degrees, receiving The Order of Canada in 2005 and the Governor General’s Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award in 2016. She has also performed in front of some of the world’s most influential people including Queen Elizabeth II, Jean Chrétien, Brian Mulroney, Nelson Mandela, Billy Graham and The Countess of Wessex.For Aglukark, art has played a significant role in her healing journey and in the rewriting of her narrative. She believes it plays an important role for Indigenous youth dealing with identity issues. She is founder and program developer of the Arctic Rose Foundation, and also sits on the Board of Directors for the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation and the Hnatyshyn Foundation.The goal of the Arctic Rose Foundation is to support Northern Inuit, First Nations and Metis youth, promote emotional and mental wellness, and connect them with their culture through intentional and adaptable arts-based programming. Through these programs and partnerships, youth are given a safe space, an emotional outlet, and access to Indigenous leaders, role models, employment opportunities and mentorship to help them deal with the existing structural inequities and barriers that are faced in the North. When a need is identified and a program does not exist, the Arctic Rose Foundation will develop one with the assistance and participation of respective communities.
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The Tragically Hip
Juno Humanitarian Award 2021
The Tragically Hip, 15-time JUNO Award-winning band and Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees, have been awarded the 2021 Humanitarian Award Presented by Music Canada.The Humanitarian Award recognizes outstanding Canadian artists or industry leaders whose humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and beyond.The Tragically Hip’s timeless music and philanthropic pursuits have touched millions of lives across the globe and across generations. The band has helped to raise and donate millions of dollars for various social and environmental causes including Camp Trillium, The Canadian Cancer Society, the Sunnybrook Foundation, the Special Olympics and more.From the early days of their music career, the band has been at the forefront of fundraising and social awareness efforts, playing host to many benefit concerts over the years in support of causes close to their heart. In 1993, the band donated proceeds from a concert to the Healthcare 2000 campaign in support of Kingston’s hospitals. In 2000, The Hip produced and headlined a benefit concert in Winnipeg for WAR Child Canada, the largest ever outdoor performance in the country at the time. In 2004 they created “The Tragically Hip Community Fund” to continue to support local charities in their hometown. Many charitable organizations have benefitted from The Tragically Hip’s generous endeavours, including ALS, Parkinson’s research, AIDS awareness and fundraising, The White Ribbon Campaign (ending violence against women), food banks, the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, many environmental issues including Waterkeeper Alliance, the Special Olympics, the Limestone Learning Foundation, B’nai Brith Canada, Camp Trillium and more.In 2016 the band embarked on a 15-show, final tour and the last show in their hometown of Kingston, was broadcast live across all platforms on CBC, with an estimated 11.7 million people tuning in to watch. The tour also helped raise over one million dollars for The Canadian Cancer Society and the Sunnybrook Foundation. Charismatic front-man, Gord Downie, passed away on October 17, 2017, following his battle with terminal brain cancer.Most recently, the band donated over $50,000 to music industry charity, Unison Benevolent Fund, through the sale of their “Courage Masks.” Proceeds from the sale of the masks go directly to Unison’s Financial Assistance program to provide ongoing emergency financial relief for musicians and crew members during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reusable non-medical cloth masks are still available for purchase here.The Tragically Hip have been part of the national arts fabric for more than three decades and evoke a strong emotional connection between their music and global fanbase, which remains unrivalled in this country. The five-piece group of friends includes Rob Baker (guitar), the late Gord Downie (vocals, guitar), Johnny Fay (drums), Paul Langlois (guitar) and Gord Sinclair (bass). Originating from Kingston, ON, The Hip (as they are known to their fans) have achieved the enviable status of a band that enjoys mass popularity, with more than 10 million albums sold worldwide, all while maintaining a grassroots following across the nation. The Tragically Hip were inducted into The Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2005 and honoured with the Order of Canada in 2017 for their tireless involvement with the Indigenous rights movement.
Juno Humanitarian Award Laureates (2020 ~ 2011)
David Foster
Juno Humanitarian Award 2019
David Foster, renowned musician, songwriter, composer, arranger and producer, has been awarded the 2019 Humanitarian Award.The award honours Foster’s lifelong dedication to philanthropy through his support of hundreds of charities, including his own non-profit organization, The David Foster Foundation, which raises organ donation awareness and provides financial support to Canadian families in need of life-saving transplants.In the 33 years since Foster established The David Foster Foundation, the organization has helped over 1,100 families with children in need and provided millions of dollars in financial support. In the past twenty years, Foster has supported over 400 charities, including the annual Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night, The Andre Agassi Foundation and Carousel of Hope, to name a few.Throughout his impressive career, spanning nearly five decades, Foster established himself as one of the most successful songwriters, composers and record producers in history. He has spearheaded albums that have collectively sold in the hundreds of millions and has created hit songs for notable artists including 10-time JUNO winner Diana Krall, global hit-makers, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and many more. Foster created soundtracks that defined a generation with the likes of The Bodyguard, Urban Cowboy and St. Elmo’s Fire. A natural at spotting new talent, Foster played a key role in the discovery and career launches of 20-time JUNO winner Céline Dion, Josh Groban and 13-time JUNO winner Michael Bublé.For his groundbreaking work in music and composing, Foster has won six JUNO Awards, 16 Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe and has received three Oscar nominations for “Best Original Song.” In 1998, Foster was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame; in 2002, the Canadian Walk of Fame; and in 2010, he was honoured by both the Canadian and the American Songwriters Halls of Fame. In 2013, Foster received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame, located notably next to his icons – John, Paul, George and Ringo – of The Beatles.In 2018, Foster set his sights on Broadway, immersing himself in New York theatre culture and embracing it as a new creative outlet. He is working on a Betty Boop production as well as an adaptation of Lucky Us with Jewel. His most recent foray out of retirement saw him working with Michael Bublé to co-produce his new album, Love (2018).
Gary Slaight
Juno Humanitarian Award 2018
Gary Slaight: Industry Pioneer and Leading PhilanthropistGary Slaight is a highly respected Canadian industry leader, visionary philanthropist, and recipient of the 2018 Humanitarian Award and the 2014 appointment to the Order of Canada.Slaight’s career began in the broadcast industry, where he became a driving force in Canadian radio. He served as General Manager of Toronto’s Q-107 before leading Standard Radio as President, strategically growing the company from seven stations in 1987 to 52 by 2007. He was also instrumental in establishing Sirius Satellite Radio Canada in 2005.Following the sale of Standard Broadcasting, Slaight and his family dedicated the proceeds to creating two key entities: The Slaight Family Foundation for broader philanthropy and Slaight Music to champion Canadian music and emerging artists.Through Slaight Music, he has established numerous high-impact programs, including It’s Your Shot, The Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class, The Allan Slaight Stage at Massey Hall, and The Slaight Family Music Lab at the Canadian Film Centre, significantly boosting the careers of domestic talent.The Slaight Family Foundation employs an innovative philanthropic strategy, providing long-term, simultaneous support to maximize service delivery in critical sectors. Recent large
Buffy Sainte-Marie
Juno Humanitarian Award 2017
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) is committed to upholding the integrity of The JUNO Awards and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, which recognizes Canadian artists who meet established eligibility criteria.Following a thorough review, consultations with the CARAS Indigenous Music Advisory Committee, and in light of recent information, including Ms. Sainte-Marie’s confirmation that she is not Canadian, CARAS will revoke Buffy Sainte-Marie’s JUNO Awards and Canadian Music Hall of Fame induction in accordance with its eligibility requirements.This decision is not a reflection of Ms. Sainte-Marie’s artistic contributions but ensures that CARAS celebrates and honours artists who meet the criteria. While this decision aligns with longstanding criteria, we acknowledge the impact it may have.Buffy Sainte-Marie has been a strong supporter and advocate for Canadian music, and we acknowledge the past contributions she has made to our organization. However, CARAS’ mandate is to educate, develop, celebrate, and honour Canadian artists. Maintaining the integrity of this process is essential to ensuring the organization continues to fulfill its purpose.CARAS remains dedicated to supporting diverse artists and the conversations their work inspires, fostering an industry that reflects the rich diversity of Canadian culture.
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Arcade Fire
Juno Humanitarian Award 2016
Arcade Fire: Global Impact Through Music and ActivismArcade Fire, the acclaimed six-piece band from Montréal led by husband-wife duo Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, has achieved massive popularity and critical success since forming in 2001, winning eight JUNO Awards, two BRITs, and a Grammy for Album of the Year (The Suburbs). Renowned for their powerful, energetic live shows, the band channels this same energy into tireless philanthropic work, primarily focused on Haiti.The band’s enduring commitment began in 2006 by donating $1 from every concert ticket sold to Partners In Health (PIH), a non-profit dedicated to providing high-quality healthcare in the poorest regions of the world. Lead singer Régine Chassagne deepened this commitment by co-founding the KANPE Foundation in 2010. KANPE, which means "To Stand Up" in Haitian Creole, implements comprehensive, 18-month family support programs to help vulnerable families achieve sustainable financial independence through integrated support in health, education, and agriculture.To further aid the nation, Win Butler collaborated with La Colombe Coffee to create RaRa Coffee, with all profits directed back to PIH and the Haiti Coffee Academy to create jobs and support local farmers. To date, Arcade Fire’s efforts have raised and donated over $4 million and engaged more than 500,000 fans in supporting the people of Haiti.In 2014, the band and PIH became the founding partners of Plus One, an international charitable organization. Plus One unites a growing community of artists who commit to donating $1 per concert ticket sold to organizations they champion. This initiative has raised over $2 million, leveraging the power of the music industry to drive global impact. Arcade Fire seamlessly blends their art and influence to generate real, substantial change.
Rush
Juno Humanitarian Award 2015
Rush: Rock Immortals and Humanitarian ChampionsThe iconic Canadian trio Rush—Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart—were honored with the 2015 Allan Waters Humanitarian Award for their profound and sustained commitment to philanthropy throughout their four-decade-long career. As Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, they have sold over 40 million records worldwide and are celebrated as one of the most inventive and commercially successful bands in rock history.The band’s humanitarian ethos began early, supporting causes like the Toronto Food Bank and the United Way with their earliest shows. Their dedication evolved into substantial, high-impact public giving. In 2008, they donated $100,000 to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and another $100,000 to Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation, sponsoring "The House that Rush Built" in post-Katrina New Orleans.Since their 2010 Time Machine Tour, Rush has made a standing commitment to donate $1 from every concert ticket sold to various charities, including Doctors Without Borders, an effort that has collectively raised over $2 million. In 2013, they performed a benefit concert for the Alberta flood victims, raising over $575,000 for the Canadian Red Cross.The members also pursue personal philanthropic interests: Geddy Lee is a long-time board member of Grapes for Humanity Canada, which has raised over $500,000, while Alex Lifeson supports The Kidney Foundation and Neil Peart has raised funds for the Chilean Red Cross. Through their signature instruments, they have also backed music education programs like Little Kids Rock. Rush exemplifies how profound artistic success can be coupled with unwavering dedication to global betterment.
Chantal Kreviazuk
Juno Humanitarian Award 2014
Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida: A Partnership in PhilanthropyChantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida, an iconic Canadian cultural couple and successful musicians, are equally celebrated for their deep devotion to humanitarian causes both domestically and internationally.Their global advocacy centers on empowering the less fortunate, supporting women's rights, and promoting child education in war-torn regions. Kreviazuk is an honorary founder of War Child Canada, and the couple has undertaken crucial fact-finding and support missions to the Congo, Iraq, and Ethiopia. Maida specifically created the "Busking for Change" program to raise funds for devastated areas, demonstrating their hands-on commitment to global relief.Domestically, the duo addresses critical social issues, particularly those surrounding mental health and addiction. Kreviazuk works actively with the Canadian Mental Health Association to eliminate stigma and supports addiction recovery through the Baldy Hughes Therapeutic Community. Maida champions youth engagement and democracy through Apathy is Boring.Throughout their careers, the couple has leveraged their music and fame to support numerous organizations, from children's hospitals to Polar Bears International. Their sustained commitment to social equality and service earned them the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award in 2012, marking them as true leaders whose shared passion for justice defines their partnership.
Raine Maida
Juno Humanitarian Award 2014
Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida: A Partnership in PhilanthropyChantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida, an iconic Canadian cultural couple and successful musicians, are equally celebrated for their deep devotion to humanitarian causes both domestically and internationally.Their global advocacy centers on empowering the less fortunate, supporting women's rights, and promoting child education in war-torn regions. Kreviazuk is an honorary founder of War Child Canada, and the couple has undertaken crucial fact-finding and support missions to the Congo, Iraq, and Ethiopia. Maida specifically created the "Busking for Change" program to raise funds for devastated areas, demonstrating their hands-on commitment to global relief.Domestically, the duo addresses critical social issues, particularly those surrounding mental health and addiction. Kreviazuk works actively with the Canadian Mental Health Association to eliminate stigma and supports addiction recovery through the Baldy Hughes Therapeutic Community. Maida champions youth engagement and democracy through Apathy is Boring.Throughout their careers, the couple has leveraged their music and fame to support numerous organizations, from children's hospitals to Polar Bears International. Their sustained commitment to social equality and service earned them the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award in 2012, marking them as true leaders whose shared passion for justice defines their partnership.
Tom Cochrane
Juno Humanitarian Award 2013
Tom Cochrane: From Red Rider to "Life Is a Highway"JUNO Award winner Tom Cochrane began his musical career in childhood, writing his first song at age eleven in Ontario. After years spent honing his craft and paying his dues, his career took a definitive turn in the late 1970s when he joined the popular Canadian rock band Red Rider as the lead singer and songwriter.Red Rider achieved immediate success with their debut album, Don't Fight It, featuring the gold-certified hit "White Hot." Although the band faced internal turmoil, they restructured as Tom Cochrane & Red Rider, cementing their status with a JUNO Award for Group of the Year in 1987. Cochrane released two more albums with the group before launching his dedicated solo career.In 1991, Cochrane released the phenomenal album Mad Mad World, which brought him international acclaim and became a multi-platinum success across Canada and the United States. The album featured his signature, enduring hit, "Life Is a Highway." His solo run continued strongly throughout the decade with releases like Ragged Ass Road. The poignant single "I Wish You Well" made history as the first song in Canadian radio history to debut at number one on both the singles sales chart and the airplay chart.Through decades of prolific recording and heavy touring, Tom Cochrane has established himself as one of Canada's most popular and enduring rock artists.
Simple Plan
Juno Humanitarian Award 2012
Simple Plan Foundation: Music and PhilanthropyThe JUNO Award-winning band Simple Plan is known for connecting with youth through songs like "Perfect" and "Welcome To My Life." This connection inspired the creation of the Simple Plan Foundation in December 2005, which channels the band’s commitment to young people facing social and health challenges. By 2012, the Foundation was set to surpass the outstanding milestone of $1 million in total donations.The Foundation's mission is twofold: to provide direct financial support to organizations and to highlight the power of music in offering direction and passion to teens. Since its inception, the Foundation has made over 20 charitable donations annually, supporting a wide range of organizations both in Canada and abroad, including War Child Canada, Kids Help Phone, Leucan, and the Montréal Children’s Hospital.These substantial contributions are made possible through numerous fundraising events. In 2011, the band collaborated with the Montréal Symphony Orchestra (MSO) for a sold-out benefit concert that raised over $300,000—the Foundation’s biggest single initiative to date.Beyond their direct financial support, Simple Plan leverages its fame for advocacy, performing at events like LIVE 8, contributing to tsunami relief, and supporting organizations like MADD and Make-a-Wish. They have also partnered with various brands and organizations for unique fundraising campaigns, such as creating a t-shirt for Red Cross Japan and conducting successful campaigns for War Child. Today, Simple Plan continues this commitment, often donating a portion of ticket and fan club membership sales back to the Foundation to ensure its enduring support for youth in need.
Neil Young
Juno Humanitarian Award 2011
Neil Young: Uncompromising Music and Lasting PhilanthropyNeil Young is a legendary figure in music, recognized as a five-time JUNO Award winner and a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. His decades-long, uncompromising musical career includes acclaimed work as a solo artist and as a member of iconic groups like Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY).Young’s fearless spirit is equally evident in his philanthropy, which focuses heavily on social awareness and fundraising. Since the 1970s, he has advocated fiercely for small family farmers in America. In 1985, he co-founded Farm Aid with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp. This annual benefit concert has since raised over $37 million and directly influenced the passage of the 1987 U.S. Agricultural Credit Act, which prevented hundreds of family farms from foreclosure.A year later, in 1986, Young and his wife, Pegi Young, co-founded The Bridge School. This cause was deeply personal, as two of their children were diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The school was established to provide specialized education for children with severe speech and physical impairments. Young leveraged his fame, organizing annual, star-studded benefit concerts to secure funding for the school’s construction and expanded educational programs, including early childhood intervention.Though based in the U.S., the Canadian native has also contributed significantly to causes at home, participating in the "Tears Are Not Enough" famine relief project and supporting the Sarah McLachlan Foundation, solidifying his status as an influential artist and humanitarian.
Juno Humanitarian Award Laureates (2010 ~ 2006)
Bryan Adams
Juno Humanitarian Award 2010
Since the early days of his music career, Bryan Adams has been at the forefront of fundraising and social awareness events from Amnesty International “A Conspiracy of Hope” and Rock for Amnesty Tours, Live Aid, Live 8 and One Night Live. In 1985 Adams co-wrote and took part in the recording of “Tears Are Not Enough,” Canada’s song to help raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia.Over the years he has been a part of the annual Prince’s Trust Rock Gala, the “Reach Out to Asia” campaign to help the underprivileged, and in 2006 he became the first westerner to perform in Karachi, Pakistan, after 9/11 with funds raised going towards victims of the 2005 Pakistan earthquake. He has successfully campaigned for the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary with Greenpeace as well as animal rights through PETA.His photography has raised money to benefit cancer research and in 2006, he established The Bryan Adams Foundation, to further advance the education and learning opportunities for children and young people worldwide.Bryan Adams is one of the most recognized rock music artists in the world. He is a Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee, has been awarded the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia in addition to numerous music industry awards.
Sarah McLachlan
Juno Humanitarian Award 2009
Sarah McLachlan: A Career of Artistic and Humanitarian ImpactCanadian artist Sarah McLachlan has combined a highly successful, multi-platinum musical career—including eight JUNO Awards and multiple Grammy wins—with a profound dedication to philanthropy, earning her the Order of Canada in 2000. Her humanitarian work often utilizes music as a powerful tool for social change.McLachlan’s most ambitious initiative was the founding of Lilith Fair in 1997. This groundbreaking touring festival exclusively showcased women in music, promoting female artists while raising over $7 million for women’s charities and shelters across North America over its three-year run.Her commitment to social causes is also reflected in her creative projects. The 2004 music video for “World on Fire” was intentionally produced for only $15. McLachlan donated the remaining $149,985 of the production budget to 11 different global aid organizations, demonstrating a simple yet powerful comparison of frivolous spending versus impactful charity.Recognizing the power of music, she founded the Sarah McLachlan Foundation in 1999. Its main initiative, the Music Outreach program, provides free, high-quality music education and mentorship to young Canadians in underserved communities. Additionally, McLachlan is a passionate advocate for animal welfare, serving as the spokesperson for the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to raise awareness about animal abuse and adoption.
Paul Brandt
Juno Humanitarian Award 2008
Paul Brandt’s incredible commitment and concern for humankind and his vision and execution of events for a variety of humanitarian causes are helping to improve lives in Canada and around the world.He supports numerous organizations and causes including Alberta Children’s Hospital where he once worked, The Alberta Neurofibromatosis Association, the Alberta Torch Run for Special Olympics and the Brandon Cole Memorial Fund which is aimed at raising awareness of youth suicide and bullying. Brandt is also involved with international relief organizations such as World Vision and programs including ‘Turn on the Tap,’ which aims to provide safe drinking water to families in the developing world.Brandt has won the most awards by a male country artist in Canada. He has received 14 CCMA’s, six JUNO Awards and achieved multi-platinum record sales. Born in Calgary, Brandt began singing as a child and was influenced by the Gospel music he heard at church. He picked up a guitar at 13 and started writing his own music. Brandt entered a number of talent contests; eventually winning the "Youth Talent Showdown" at the Calgary Stampede and attracting the attention of record companies. His debut album "Calm Before The Storm" was released in 1996 and was recognized as Billboard magazine's Best Selling New Male Artist Album of 1996.For more than a decade, Paul has toured North America and Europe. His music and involvement with international aid organizations and support of the military has taken him to Ethiopia, Malawi, Uganda, Chile, Belize, South Korea, Cambodia and Bosnia.Although he is the first recipient of the newly sponsored prize, Paul Brandt is the third recipient of the Humanitarian Award bestowed by CARAS. Past winners of the previous incarnation of the award are Tom Jackson and Bruce Cockburn.
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Tom Jackson
Juno Humanitarian Award 2007
Tom Jackson is an inspirational Canadian figure who has leveraged his successful careers in music and acting, notably as Chief Peter Kenidi on North of 60, to fuel profound humanitarian change. He is highly recognized for his commitment to using his voice as a vehicle of change for those less fortunate.His relentless determination to combat hunger began in 1987 with the creation of The Huron Carole, a Christmas concert tour designed to support Canadian food banks. This effort evolved into the Christmas & Winter Relief Association and its successor, Singing For Supper, a unique, accessible concert series held in community venues. Through these initiatives and related fundraisers, Jackson has collectively raised more than $9 million for food banks, family service agencies, and disaster relief across the nation.Jackson also addressed the crisis of youth suicide in 1996 by establishing the Dreamcatcher Concert Tour. Launched following the loss of a castmate, the cross-country tour provides music, along with vital support through counselling, stress management, and healthcare workshops to empower impacted communities.Over more than 40 years, Jackson has continually dedicated his efforts to those in need, standing as a respected leader in the aboriginal community. His extensive humanitarian contributions have earned him numerous distinctions, including the National Aboriginal Achievement Award and the country’s highest civilian honor, being appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2000.
Bruce Cockburn
Juno Humanitarian Award 2006
Bruce Cockburn: Music, Politics, and Global AdvocacyBruce Cockburn is one of Canada’s most celebrated artists, known for a 35-year career defined by powerful political lyrics and unwavering calls for social justice and environmental action. Recognized for his musical genius, including being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, his activism is equally integral to his legacy.Cockburn’s commitment to global issues was crystallized by an eye-opening 1983 trip to Central American refugee camps on behalf of OXFAM. This experience launched him into a lifetime of fact-finding missions to war-torn and politically volatile regions, including Kosovo, Vietnam, and Baghdad, working alongside groups like the Unitarian Service Committee (USC) and Friends of the Earth.His devotion to activism often informed his music, yielding powerful political anthems such as “If I Had a Rocket Launcher” and “Call It Democracy.”Domestically, Cockburn has been a tireless advocate for Aboriginal peoples' rights. In the 1980s, he helped the Haida Nation secure funds for legal battles to stop logging in the Queen Charlotte Islands and supported the struggles of the Lubicon Cree and the Innu people.Internationally, he has been a prominent leader in the movement to ban landmines since the mid-nineties. For his sustained service to the nation and the global community, Cockburn was first honored with The Order of Canada in 1983 and was later promoted within the Order in 2003.