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Actor and Parkinson's advocate Michael J. Fox was elevated to the companion level of the Order of Canada at Rideau Hall and told CTV News the Canada-U.S. relationship is doomed to success.
OTTAWA - Canadian actor and philanthropist Michael J. Fox has been promoted to the companion level of the Order of Canada. Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour officially elevated him during a ceremony at Rideau Hall on Friday for his Parkinson's advocacy.
Fox Honoured For Parkinson's Advocacy
The honour recognizes Fox's remarkable artistic career and his decision to use his platform to support a cause affecting thousands of Canadians and millions worldwide. Fox went public with his Parkinson's diagnosis in 1998. Through the Michael J. Fox Foundation, he has raised US$2.5 billion, approximately C$3.5 billion, for research into the disease. He has also openly shared his own experiences living with Parkinson's.
In an exclusive broadcast interview with CTV News in Ottawa, Fox said the Canada-U.S. relationship is doomed to success despite current trade tensions. We're so alike. Culturally. I mean, there are key differences based on our origin stories and things like that, and you can find ways that we're different, Fox said.
But in many ways, we're the same. Asked about his latest Order of Canada honour, Fox described it as flattering. It's nice to be recognized as someone who upholds the character of Canada and stands for the things that this country stands for, Fox told CTV News. Arbour praised Fox during the ceremony.
After a remarkable artistic career, you might have chosen to retire from public life, but instead you chose to use your platform and your voice to support a cause that affects thousands of Canadians and millions of people worldwide, she said. Sustainable progress requires that we move forward with courage, imagination and determination, Arbour later quipped. After all, back to the future has always been a much better idea than forward to the past.
Fox Extends Parkinson's Research Commitment
The remark referred to Fox's role in the famous Back to the Future trilogy. Fox said he did not want to be the poster boy for Parkinson's, but it was important to contribute to growing research about the disease. I didn't want to be just a name attached to the disease, he said. I wanted to make the commitment broader.
Fox, who has lived in the United States for decades with his family, said Americans love Canadians despite current trade tensions between the two countries. I'm real proud of my American connection and having raised a family in the United States and built a career in the United States and done a lot of philanthropic work in the United States, Fox said. I don't denigrate the United States at all. I love it a lot but I'm Canadian, he added.
When asked if he feels a need to play a role in improving relations as a Canadian living in the U.S., Fox said he and others do a pretty good job. Anybody in a country other than their country of origin is an ambassador for that country, the actor said. What's great about Canadians is that all Canadians are so nice.
Trump Behaviour Shapes Trade Tensions
Fox did not directly name U.S. President Donald Trump while speaking to CTV News, but he acknowledged the president's behaviour. We can't understand what's motivating his actions, and what we all fear is that nothing's motivating him, Fox said. Just kind of automatic get up in the morning and do whatever strikes him, he said. But we can't hold against anybody broad complaints or conclusions about who or what his character is or what his goals are.
I think we just have to continue being ourselves. The interview was conducted by CTV News reporter Judy Trinh following Fox's promotion. The ceremony and interview took place in Ottawa, where Fox was honoured for his advocacy work. Fox's foundation has become a leading force in Parkinson's research, and his public openness about his diagnosis has helped reduce stigma.
The companion level is one of the highest honours in the Order of Canada. The actor thanked Canadians for the recognition and said he remains proud of both his Canadian roots and his American life. He said Canadians should continue being themselves amid political tensions.
CTVNews
CTVToronto:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Michael J. Fox Order Of Canada Parkinson's Advocacy Canada-U.S. Relations Rideau Hall Ceremony
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