At the Canadian Screen Awards (CSA), a heartfelt tribute was paid to a cherished comedic icon from Canada on Sunday evening. Mike Myers, visibly moved, expressed his gratitude in return. Upon receiving the CSA’s Icon Award, which acknowledges continuous contributions to the industry nationally and internationally, Myers emotionally stated, “I just want to say Canada, I don’t know what to say dude. I’d literally be nothing without you.”
The comedian and actor, originally from Scarborough, a suburb of Toronto, concluded his touching speech by crediting his homeland for enabling him to embody some of his most iconic characters in films like Austin Powers, Wayne’s World, and Shrek.
Last year, the former Saturday Night Live star initiated the popular “elbows up” movement in response to threats from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Canada. During the CSA ceremony, Myers expressed his appreciation for the support he received from millions of Canadians. “I want to thank the Canadian taxpayer,” he humorously remarked. “I really do actually, because I always say to my American friends I had a big ally on my hands — I had 40 million people behind me.”
Acknowledging the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), Myers humorously praised it as “the better way,” referencing the transit system’s slogan. He also recognized the staff at Canada House in London, reminiscing about a time when he took on a job there when he was financially struggling.
As part of the tribute, a compilation of Myers’ career highlights was showcased, starting with a clip of him proudly stating, “You can take the boy out of Canada, but you can’t take Canada out of the boy.” The montage included pre-recorded tributes from former colleagues and industry peers, such as Will Arnett, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, lauding Myers for creating unforgettable characters and influencing the realm of comedy and film.
Before accepting the award from Kids in the Hall’s Dave Foley, a fellow Canadian comedian, Myers was visibly emotional as he wiped away tears. He humorously noted, “I had a whole speech written about how much I love Canada, but I suspect some of you might be sick of hearing that at this point,” before expressing gratitude to his family and reminiscing about his upbringing.
In addition to his family, Myers paid tribute to several iconic Canadian screen stars, including the late John Candy, Martin Short, Eugene Levy, and the late Catherine O’Hara, whom he described as “immortal.”