Paul Anka Among Order of Canada Recipients
'Most Important Award I've Ever Gotten,' he says.

Ottawa-born singer Paul Anka, film director Denys Arcand, architect Moshe Safdie and singer Susan Aglukark are among 74 Canadians to be appointed to the Order of Canada.

The awards announced this week by the Governor General's office, are the highest honours for lifetime achievement given to Canadians. The Ottawa recipients include Cynthia Baxter of the Community Foundation of Ottawa, Frank Ling, former Chairman of the Ottawa Police Services Board and Marc Renaud, president of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The Canadian Award has special significance for Mr. Anka, 63, who left Ottawa when he was 16 to pursue a recording contract in the United States.

"On its own, this is probably the most important award I've ever gotten," said Mr. Anka in an interview yesterday from Niagara Falls, Ontario, where he is to perform this weekend.

"Anything emanating from my country and my home town has an incredible impact on me."

Mr. Anka said he has received similar honours from other countries, including top arts awards from France, Italy and Lebanon. He said he was aware of the Order of Canada because friends have asked why he'd never been a recipient.

"So many people would write to me or contact me and say 'why didn't you get it.' I would say to them they don't like me in Canada anymore," he joked.

One of his close friends, music producer, David Foster, received the Order of Canada in 2003.

Mr. Anka said he is looking forward to coming to Rideau Hall to attend the awards ceremony, although Governor General Adrienne Clarkson's office has not set a date.

The famed entertainer said he'll be in Toronto in early June for Canada's Walk of Fame ceremonies, where he is to receive his own star and, if the Order of Canada awards are held around the same time, he'll be able to attend.

But first, Mr. Anka is making a return visit to his hometown - he was last here in 2002, on April 7th for a benefit concert at the National Arts Centre in aid of Parkinson's disease research.

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