National Post

Michael J. Fox chats with other inductees after being awarded the rank of Officer in the Order of Canada at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, May 27, 2011. (Blair Gable/Reuters)

Michael J. Fox, Robbie Robertson and Howie Meeker receive Order of Canada
Michael J. Fox grew up recognizing things that were distinctly Canadian — Farley Mowat, hockey, The Guess Who and Robbie Robertson.

And sitting in Rideau Hall Friday, Fox found himself with people that were, as he put it, distinctly Canada. Fox, Robertson and NHL hockey great Howie Meeker were among 42 recipients of the Order of Canada Friday, each recognized for a lifetime of contributions to sports, the arts and to their communities.

“Listen, you want a case of the imposter syndrome just sit in this room and in one of these chairs and listen to all these people’s accomplishments and what they’ve done,” Fox said following the ceremony. “I don’t begin for a second to put myself in the league of any of these people, but when I listen to what they’ve done, that’s Canadian to me. It’s a seriousness and a sense of humour … It’s enjoyment and a sense of life.”