Michael Bublé delivered a heartfelt dose of patriotism at the Juno Awards on Sunday, setting the stage for a night filled with nods to Canada’s ongoing tensions with the United States.
The Vancouver-born singer embraced his role as host, proudly declaring his love for Canada.
“We are the greatest nation on Earth,” he said during his opening monologue. “And we are not for sale.”
Other artists leaned into the Canadian spirit, none more so than East Coast icon Anne Murray.
The retired singer accepted a lifetime achievement award dressed in a sequined red hockey jersey emblazoned with “Canada.” Reflecting on her career, she recalled the pressure to relocate to New York or Los Angeles.
“I just couldn’t do it,” she said. “I knew instinctively I needed a place to go, to escape when my work was done. Canada is my safe haven. My safety blanket. My light at the end of the tunnel—it still is.”
Backstage, Murray revealed that the idea to wear the jersey came from a friend, and she complemented it with her Order of Canada pin.
“All I have to do is wear this,” she said. “I don’t even have to say anything. It says it all.”
Some winners of the night were even more direct with their messages.
Fan choice winner bbno$, the social media star and rapper, was visibly surprised to beat major pop names like Tate McRae and Shawn Mendes. He ended his speech with a political jab, declaring,
“Elon Musk is a piece of garbage,” referring to the Tesla CEO and adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Moments later, Arkells frontman Max Kerman voiced his agreement.
Meanwhile, country album of the year winner Josh Ross struck a more reflective tone while accepting his award for Complicated.
“I think it’s time to get back to our Canadian roots and remember that friends are better than enemies,” he said.
Not everything centred on politics. Bublé’s patriotic opening followed a lively medley of his hits, performed alongside Maestro Fresh Wes, Elisapie, and Roxane Bruneau. The artists sang selections of his songs, sometimes in different languages, culminating in a finale performance of Home.
The Junos broadcast marked the end of a weekend celebrating Canadian music, with Tate McRae emerging as the biggest winner.
At Saturday’s industry gala, the Greedy pop star claimed four Junos, including album, artist, and single of the year.
On Sunday, Toronto band The Beaches was named group of the year, while Palestinian-Canadian artist Nemahsis won breakthrough artist, adding to her alternative album win for Verbathim the night before.
“I’ve been wearing a hijab for 20-plus years,” she said on the telecast.
“All I ever wanted was to turn on Family Channel or YTV and see someone who looks like me. I didn’t think it would take this long.”
Sum 41 marked their induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame with a high-energy farewell performance, tearing through Fat Lip, In Too Deep, and a medley of their biggest hits.
The Ajax, Ontario pop-punk band played the Junos as their final show together after a yearlong farewell tour, with the Hall of Fame induction serving as a career-defining moment.
“This moment is surreal for us because we’re not really an award show band,” said lead singer Deryck Whibley.
“We’ve always just focused on being our best, not paying attention to anyone else. Well, except for Iron Maiden, of course.”
Producer Boi-1da, born Matthew Samuels, accepted the international achievement award with a reflective speech on his musical journey, which led him to collaborations with Eminem and Kendrick Lamar.
Backstage, he praised longtime collaborator Drake, calling him “the greatest artist of all time.”
“Drake’s my brother,” he said, brushing off the ongoing rap feud with Lamar as little more than online noise.
“I’m just showing love because he’s done a lot for me.”
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