The 2026 Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards (GGPAA) for Lifetime Artistic Achievement recognize artists who have made an indelible contribution to cultural life in Canada and around the world. The celebrations happen on June 6 as the laureates are honoured at the GGPAA evening at the National Arts Centre.

The Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards are Canada's foremost distinction for excellence in the performing arts. The awards recognize a stellar array of artists and arts volunteers for their outstanding lifetime contributions to Canada's cultural life. The awards were created in 1992, under the patronage of then Governor General the Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn (1934-2002). These awards are administered by the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation.

Meet the 2026 laureates:

Susan Benson, C.M. – Set and costume designer and painter

Susan Benson is one of Canada’s leading set and costume designers, whose artistic vision has shaped stage productions across Canada and internationally. A creative trailblazer, she has designed for major theatre, opera, and ballet companies across Canada, notably the Stratford Festival, as well as for international productions. She is also an accomplished painter whose work has been shown in Canadian galleries and group exhibitions.

James Cameron, C.C. – Filmmaker, explorer, inventor and environmental entrepreneur

James Cameron is an acclaimed filmmaker, explorer, inventor and environmental entrepreneur. As director, writer and producer, he is responsible for The Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, True Lies, Titanic, Avatar, Avatar: The Way of Water and Avatar: Fire and Ash, as well as 12 documentaries, including Ghosts of the Abyss, The Game Changers, and the Emmy-winning Secrets of the Whales. His 1997 film Titanic held the record for highest-grossing film in the world for 12 years, surpassed only by his own Avatar in 2009. His films have earned numerous nominations and awards, most notably Titanic’s record 11 Oscars, including Best Picture. He has written, produced and directed three of the four highest-grossing films in history.

Sylvain Émard – Dancer, choreographer and teacher

One of Canada’s foremost choreographers, Sylvain Émard has created more than 40 original works and has made an enduring contribution to contemporary dance in Canada and internationally. His practice is grounded in his keen interest in the body’s expressive power and in the dynamics of human physicality and interconnection. From meditative solos to large-scale communal pieces and an immersive installation, his work stands out for its precision, inventiveness, and inclusivity, bridging the gap between high art and popular dance, professional performers and amateurs, intimacy and spectacle.

Daniel Lavoie, O.C. – Singer–songwriter, performer and poet

Daniel Lavoie has had a profound impact on popular music in Canada and on our country’s cultural landscape. A Franco-Manitoban of great integrity and authenticity, he has won the hearts of audiences worldwide with his pop-rock songs, performed in both French and English. In particular, “Ils s’aiment” was a massive hit in Canada and Europe, and “Jours de plaine” has become an anthem of sorts for Francophones in Western Canada. Alongside his award-winning albums, he is acclaimed for his live performances of his original compositions and for his dynamic portrayal of Frollo in the blockbuster musical Notre-Dame de Paris.

Tonya Williams, O.C. – Screen actor and producer, arts executive and activist

Tonya Williams is an award-winning actor, producer, arts executive, and activist, widely recognized by television audiences for her work in numerous Canadian series and for her iconic, long-running role as Dr. Olivia Winters on The Young and the Restless. She is also known as the founder of Reelworld, a groundbreaking organization dedicated to advancing equity and inclusion in Canada’s screen industries. Throughout her career, she has blended artistic achievement with tireless activism, shaping a more inclusive future for storytellers in Canada. She currently serves on the Ontario Creates Industry Advisory Committee.

Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts:

The Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts recognizes outstanding contribution by an individual or group in voluntary service to the performing arts in Canada:

Sae Hoon (Stan) Chung

Sae Hoon (Stan) Chung is a writer, educator, and consultant whose career is deeply intertwined with service to arts organizations, public institutions, and Indigenous communities. He has played a crucial role in enhancing accessibility and relevance in arts programs in his home province of British Columbia, notably during his tenure as chair of the BC Arts Council, and his dedication to promoting diversity, inclusivity, equity, and community-centred stewardship, particularly in non-urban and Indigenous communities, has had a tremendous influence on organizations nationwide. Recognized as a champion for change in Canada’s arts community, he continues to contribute his time and expertise to advancing cultural and educational equity.

The National Arts Centre Award:

The National Arts Centre Award recognizes work of an extraordinary nature by an individual artist or company in the past performance year:

Barbara Hannigan, C.M. – Soprano and conductor

Internationally acclaimed for her groundbreaking dual career as a soprano and conductor, Barbara Hannigan is one of the world’s foremost champions of contemporary classical music. Her vocal career is especially associated with new music: she has premiered more than 100 works written specifically for her. She has worked closely with renowned composers, directors, and choreographers, and appeared as a conductor with major orchestras worldwide, establishing a reputation for creating innovative concert programs that broaden listeners’ horizons by interweaving contemporary and classical repertoire in a highly dramatic and engaging way.

Visit ggpaa.ca.

By Kate Eggins.

Photo: (top row) Sae Hoon (Stan) Chung, Daniel Lavoie, Barbara Hannigan, (bottom row) Tonya Williams, James Cameron, Susan Benson and Sylvain Émard.