The Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation announced today (February 27) the 2020 laureates, and several recipients have connections to Vancouver.

Vancouver-born Ryan Reynolds will receive the National Arts Centre Award, in recognition of outstanding performance by an individual over the past year.

As an actor, producer, screenwriter, entrepreneur, and activist, Reynolds has established a career spanning roles on TV sitcoms and in animated and live-action feature films, such as the Vancouver-filmed Deadpool and Deadpool 2.

The Lifetime Artistic Achievement Awards will go to actors Tantoo Cardinal and Catherine O’Hara.

As one of the most prolific First Nations actors of her generation Métis actor Tantoo Cardinal, who previously was based in Vancouver, has starred in over 120 film, television, and stage roles for over 50 years.

Her film credits include Dances With Wolves, Legends of the Fall, Black Robe, and Smoke Signals, and her TV credits include North of 60, Street Legal, and Mohawk Girls.

Toronto-born O’Hara may be currently seen in her role on the CBC comedy Schitt’s Creek, for which she has won four consecutive Canadian Screen Awards for best lead comedy actress, while her past work has extended from the Canadian sketch comedy series SCTV and roles in Christopher Guest mockumentaries (such as Best in Show or A Mighty Wind), Tim Burton movies (Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas), and more.  

Prolific Vancouver-born composer Alexina Louie, who blends Asian and Western influences, will also receive a Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award.

Louie has written over 80 musical compositions for numerous genres, including piano, voice, orchestral, opera, and film. International ensembles have performed her orchestral works while the National Ballet of Canada has selected her music for various productions.

The laureates will be honoured at three events in Ottawa, culminating in the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Gala at the National Arts Centre on April 25.

The full list of laureates is available at the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards website.