Catherine O'Hara, Ryan Reynolds, Tantoo Cardinal & More Receive Canada's Highest Honour in the Performing Arts

Stars Catherine O'Hara, Ryan Reynolds and Tantoo Cardinal have received their Governor General's Performing Arts Awards.

What is that exactly? Well, only the highest honour you can possibly receive in Canada for your contribution to the arts and the country!

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They were among a group of seven honourees who received special medals and were celebrated during a virtual ceremony involving their friends, family and colleagues.

Catherine, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, was described as "one of a kind" by her Schitt's Creek co-star Dan Levy and entertained by another Schitt's star, Noah Reid, who performed a beautiful rendition of Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You" - while wearing a few of Catherine's iconic wigs from the show!

Here's a closer look at those wigs. You're welcome.

"If I have managed to contribute anything to the entertainment and culture of Canada, it's because I was born and raised in this beautiful country to an Irish-Catholic Canadian family, and I was given the great gift to getting to work with the best Canadian co-stars," she said after receiving her award.

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Ryan, who received the National Arts Centre Award, was honoured by wife and fellow star Blake Lively, along with fellow stars and friends Hugh Jackman, Michael J.Fox and Morena Baccarin before being moved to tears - and laughter - by former Barenaked Ladies singer Steven Page. 

"They said Bryan Adams was busy/ And Nickelback all had to work/ They meant to call Drake, but called me by mistake/ So you're stuck with a song by this jerk," Steven sings before getting into the one line that had everyone in tears:

"Canada loves you back."

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Canada's Ambassador for Reconciliation, Dr Chief Robert Joseph, also shared a few words about Ryan's "generosity" and work that "brings people together."

And he'd be right - together with Blake Lively, the Hollywood star has used his platform and influence to support humanitarian organisations, food banks, charities fighting homelessness and so much more.

"That made me cry," Ryan said after receiving his award. "Well, I guess I've made it."

He later shared his gratitude on Twitter, and in true Ryan-style, claimed it was "maple syrup," not tears streaming down his face (lols).

"I'm glad I don't have to be dead to experience something like this. I'm so beyond touched right now," he posted.

"I recommend making a list of people you appreciate, then immediately telling them. You don't even have to write this list with the blood of your enemies. Just a regular pen works."

One of the charities Ryan has supported through the years, Food Banks Canada, congratulated the star in a unique way - creating a portrait of Ryan using 20,000 cans of tuna which were then donated to communities in need!

Indigenous actor and activist Tantoo Cardinal, received a Lifetime Achievement Award for a career spanning more than 50 years and transforming the way Indigenous people and their stories are portrayed in television.

Other recipients of the prestigious award include composer Alexina Louie, dancer and choreographer Zab Maboungou, Innu singer-songwriter and guitarist Florent Vollant and ballroom dancer Lynda Hamilton.