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12-14-2003, 08:51 AM

This from todays Toronto Sun

Sun, December 14, 2003

Lightfoot honoured

Ailing musical legend gets Companion of the Order of Canada award

By CP

Singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot was awarded the Companion of the Order of Canada at a private ceremony in Toronto yesterday. Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson presented the honour to Lightfoot, 64, who has been recovering from a near-fatal abdominal hemorrhage a year ago.

The singing legend has been through two rounds of surgery and has another scheduled for the spring.

Lightfoot made a public appearance earlier this month when he was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. He said at that time he hoped to return to the stage soon.

His promotion within the order comes a day after official ceremonies in Ottawa that honoured other notable Canadians, including comedic actor Leslie Nielsen and former astronaut Marc Garneau.

Singer John Allan Cameron brought some levity Friday to the normally staid affair.

The Cape Breton performer, who wore a Cameron kilt, strummed an imaginary guitar onstage as the moderator read aloud his many musical accomplishments to a capacity crowd in the Chateau Laurier ballroom.

At the afternoon ceremony, 56 Canadians were made part of the Order of Canada, including four Companions, 19 Officers and 33 Members.

The list included former Liberal cabinet minister Lloyd Axworthy, filmmaker Allan King, Claire L'Heureux-Dube, a former Supreme Court justice, artist Betty Goodwin and Anne Claire Poirier, a leading director in Quebec cinema.

The Order of Canada was established in 1967 to recognize outstanding achievement and service in various fields of human endeavour.

12-14-2003, 08:51 AM	#1
Gord Guest Posts: n/a	This from todays Toronto Sun Sun, December 14, 2003 Lightfoot honoured Ailing musical legend gets Companion of the Order of Canada award By CP Singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot was awarded the Companion of the Order of Canada at a private ceremony in Toronto yesterday. Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson presented the honour to Lightfoot, 64, who has been recovering from a near-fatal abdominal hemorrhage a year ago. The singing legend has been through two rounds of surgery and has another scheduled for the spring. Lightfoot made a public appearance earlier this month when he was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. He said at that time he hoped to return to the stage soon. His promotion within the order comes a day after official ceremonies in Ottawa that honoured other notable Canadians, including comedic actor Leslie Nielsen and former astronaut Marc Garneau. Singer John Allan Cameron brought some levity Friday to the normally staid affair. The Cape Breton performer, who wore a Cameron kilt, strummed an imaginary guitar onstage as the moderator read aloud his many musical accomplishments to a capacity crowd in the Chateau Laurier ballroom. At the afternoon ceremony, 56 Canadians were made part of the Order of Canada, including four Companions, 19 Officers and 33 Members. The list included former Liberal cabinet minister Lloyd Axworthy, filmmaker Allan King, Claire L'Heureux-Dube, a former Supreme Court justice, artist Betty Goodwin and Anne Claire Poirier, a leading director in Quebec cinema. The Order of Canada was established in 1967 to recognize outstanding achievement and service in various fields of human endeavour.