Top 10 Greatest Canadians
The Greatest Canadians of all-time however you define greatest.
Terrance Stanley "Terry" Fox was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer-research activist. In 1980, despite having one leg amputated, he embarked on an east-to-west cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Although he was forced to end his Marathon of Hope near Thunder... read more I love Terry Fox for fighting cancer and raising an incredible amount of donations for cancer research. Almost all of my grandparents have had it, and I don't know anyone who hasn't been strongly affected by cancer. He was also very strong and never put himself above others.
Terry was, and still is, the definition of what it is to be Canadian. In the face of cancer, Terry Fox fought for us all, raising awareness on a global scale. Through his courage and strength, he helped us understand what it means to be human.
Bryan Guy Adams is a Canadian singer, songwriter, record producer, guitarist, photographer, philanthropist, and activist. He gained international fame with hits such as Summer of '69 and (Everything I Do) I Do It for You. Adams is also known for his humanitarian efforts and has been involved in various... read more I can't believe he wasn't included. Bryan is one of the greatest musicians ever. He's a great singer, perfect songwriter, and talented producer. A true Canadian trophy!
Céline Marie Claudette Dion is a Canadian singer and businesswoman. She's best known for "My Heart Will Go On," the theme song of the 1997 film Titanic, which was the first film in history to gross over $1 billion worldwide. An amazing woman with a powerful voice. She performs the hardest songs effortlessly. A brilliant vocalist!
My Heart Will Go On is such a nice, soft song. It definitely fits Titanic.
Sir Frederick Grant Banting (1891-1941) was a Canadian medical scientist who first used insulin to treat diabetes in humans, a discovery for which he shared the 1923 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine at age 32, remaining the youngest laureate in that category. He served as an army surgeon in World... read more Nobel laureate, recognized as the first person to use insulin on humans. He received the Nobel Prize at age 32, remaining the youngest Nobel laureate in Physiology/Medicine (as of 2011).
Neil Ellwood Peart (September 12, 1952 to January 7, 2020) was a Canadian-American musician and writer best known as the drummer and primary lyricist of the rock band Rush. He received numerous awards for his musical performances, including induction into the Modern Drummer Readers Poll Hall of Fame... read more The greatest rock drummer of all time is Canadian. Ask anyone who knows a bit about drumming. He's the drummer for the great band Rush.
Alexander Graham Bell (March 3, 1847 - August 2, 1922) was a Scottish born inventor, scientist, and engineer credited with patenting the first practical telephone in 1876. He co-founded the Bell Telephone Company in 1877, which later evolved into AT&T... read more He invented the telegraph! We couldn't use the phone, Facebook, or any other means of communication if he hadn't invented those things. I am impressed by his amazing contributions to history.
Gary Lee Weinrib, known professionally as Geddy Lee, is a Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the Canadian rock group Rush. He joined Rush in 1968 and remained with the band until its retirement in 2018. Lee is widely acclaimed for... read more Geddy Lee is the world's most influential bass guitar player. He's an officer in the Order of Canada and the country's most respected bass player.
Michael Andrew Fox (born June 9, 1961), known professionally as Michael J. Fox, is a Canadian-American actor, author, producer, and advocate. He is best known for his roles as Marty McFly in the Back to the Future trilogy (1985-1990) and Alex P. Keaton on the sitcom Family Ties (1982-1989), winning... read more Actor (Back to the Future). Iconic quote: "This is heavy."
The amount of work his foundation has put into Parkinson's research is epic.
A tremendous, iconic figure who masterfully charted the pathway for the Canada we all loved before the Liberals were elected.
He set the groundwork for our formerly great nation.
Wayne Douglas Gretzky CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League for four teams from 1979 to 1999 and is widely considered one of the greatest hockey players of all time. Gretzky also served as head coach of the Phoenix... read more Wayne is an amazing hockey player and a truly great person.
The Newcomers
Michael Steven Bublé is a Canadian singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer. He has won several awards, including four Grammy Awards and multiple Juno Awards. Bublé is known for his smooth vocal style and modern interpretations of classic jazz and pop standards.
Ryan Rodney Reynolds is a Canadian actor and producer. He played Michael Bergen on the ABC sitcom Two Guys and a Girl and Billy Simpson in the YTV teen series Hillside.He also portrayed Hannibal King in Blade: Trinity, Wade Wilson in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and the title role in Deadpool... read more
He was diligent and persistent in his efforts to improve the quality of life for all Canadians.
Today, only the older generation can recall what it was like to lack universal access to health care. Our current dental system would be comparable. Not only did he succeed in his efforts, but he also changed how we view ourselves as a people who care about their neighbors.
He saved the world! Imagine you got hurt and had to go to the hospital. How would you pay?
Without Tommy Douglas, we wouldn't have free medical care. We don't have to pay. We just present our health care card.
P.S. He was voted the greatest Canadian in real life!
He has worked to protect Canada without being a public celebrity.
James Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian and American actor, comedian, impressionist, screenwriter, and producer. He's well known for comedic roles in films such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, The Cable Guy, Liar Liar, How the Grinch Stole Christmas,... read more He's really funny in Dumb and Dumber.
Ryan Thomas Gosling is a Canadian actor and producer (also known to have musical talent). He began his career as a child actor on The Mickey Mouse Club (1993-1995) and appeared in TV programs such as Are You Afraid of the Dark? before transitioning to film roles like The Notebook (2004).
Jeff Waters (born February 13, 1966) is a Canadian metal musician best known as the guitarist, primary songwriter, and founder of the metal band Annihilator. He's recognized for fast riffs and solos and has frequently taken on roles as lead singer, bass player, engineer, and producer. He has owned Watersound... read more A guitar virtuoso and one of the greatest metal musicians from Annihilator.
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, often referred to by the initials PET, was a Canadian politician who served as the 15th prime minister of Canada. He first held office from April 20, 1968, to June 4, 1979, and then again from March 3, 1980, to June 30, 1984. Trudeau is remembered for promoting... read more
Kristen French was a young Catholic girl growing up in the Niagara Region of Southern Ontario. In April 1992, she was abducted in broad day light, by Paul Bernardo & Karla Homolka, while she was walking home from school. By the time they had done this, the duo had already committed multiple rapes, as... read more Who knows what great things Kristen could have done had she not been murdered? We need to remember Kristen, Leslie, and Tammy. Maybe all three should win! Give them a little something back for what was taken away by two monsters, one of whom is still walking free!
Glenn Herbert Gould (1932-1982) was a distinguished Canadian pianist renowned for his interpretations of Bach. He became one of the most celebrated classical pianists of the 20th century, noted for his recordings of the Goldberg Variations.
Aleksandar Živojinović, better known by his stage name Alex Lifeson, is a Canadian musician best known as the guitarist of the Canadian rock band Rush. He co-founded the band in 1968 alongside Geddy Lee and John Rutsey. Lifeson has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Rush... read more
Pamela Denise Anderson is a Canadian-American actress. In addition to her acting career, she is also a model, producer, author, activist, and former showgirl... read more Okay, she may not be the best role model, but she became one of the biggest sex symbols of all time. And she's cute.
Avril Ramona Lavigne (born September 27, 1984) is a Canadian singer-songwriter and actress. At age 14, she won a radio contest singing with Shania Twain, performing before a large arena crowd. By age 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records reportedly worth over $2 million... read more