Member of the Order of Canada
- Awarded on: October 21, 1999
- Invested on: February 09, 2000
He is one of the country's most popular and versatile musicians whose legendary contribution to the Canadian music industry spans sixty years. A driving force in the development of our domestic radio and television music programming, he has also composed and conducted music for theatre, films and orchestras. His creativity and imagination have greatly enriched Canada's musical heritage and culture.