Chantal Kreviazuk And Raine Maida To Be Honored With The Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2011 /CNW/ - Canadian Music Week is pleased to announce that husband and wife duo Raine Maida and Chantal Kreviazuk will be honoured with the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award in recognition of their longstanding commitment to charitable initiatives.  The award - bestowed to an individual having demonstrated the highest ideals and qualities of humanitarian service and in doing so, has reflected those ideals of courage and compassion - will be presented at the Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards gala on Thursday, March 22, 2012, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto, as part of Canadian Music Week's 30^th anniversary celebrations.

One of Canadian music's most dynamic and benevolent couples, Raine Maida and Chantal Kreviazuk, has been longtime collaborators in more than marriage. Together, their musical talents have intertwined to produce tracks for emerging artists, write songs for superstars, as well as record their own albums. Individually, they have contributed to charities worldwide in support of human and animal rights, world peace, education, and the environment. Their ardent activism and beliefs in social progress have affected the lives of children, mental health patients, addicted peoples, impoverished societies and aboriginal communities both home and abroad.

"Activism is something that makes us feel connected to the world around us and conveys our gratitude," says Kreviazuk, speaking for the two. "We find this opportunity at the local, provincial, national and international levels. Global or local, being of service is the greatest part of being."

"Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida have together and individually brought joy and inspiration to music fans all over the world through their music. From the early beginnings of their successful careers, they have been compassionate advocates in making our world a better place to live both at home and around the world. Not only are Raine and Chantal amazing artists, they are great humanitarians and I am proud to say my friends. My Father and I are honoured to present them with the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award as they truly embody everything this award aspires to celebrate," says Gary Slaight, President and CEO of Slaight Communications.

War Child Canada - of which Kreviazuk is an Honorary Founder - is but one of the organizations that has benefited from the duo's enduring dedication. In 2000, the couple traveled to Iraq with War Child to see the effects of war on the Iraqi children and provide humanitarian assistance. This trip resulted in the documentary "Musicians In The War Zone", which served as a call to action for Canadian youth to become informed global citizens.

Maida founded War Child's Busking For Change initiative in 2007 with a goal of raising $30,000 to build a school in Congo. Five years later, Busking For Change has far surpassed that original goal. While the event began with Maida busking on the streets of Toronto, it has grown to include other Canadian artists, such as Ron Hawkins, The Reason, The Arkells, Mother Mother, Hey Rosetta, Midway State and Saint Alvia.

In addition to Iraq, the couple has traveled extensively to developing nations through War Child Canada programs, including Darfur and Ethiopia, bringing awareness to their needs. The two have also participated in concerts and other musical performances as well as lent their voices to several albums in benefit of War Child.

In 2010, Kreviazuk contributed the song "Na Miso" to the Enough Project - an organization committed to ending genocide and crimes of war - and Downtown Records' Raise Hope For Congo compilation. Proceeds helped fund efforts to empower the women of Congo as well as raise voices for peace in the country.

Closer to home, Kreviazuk and Maida have been long supporters of Sick Kids Hospital and Children's Hospital Foundation in Winnipeg and their ongoing research and care in children's health. They have given their time to helping children afflicted with cancer and through Canuck House and Boost, have provided support to families during and post palliative care and to children of abuse, respectively.

Kreviazuk has collaborated with the Canadian Mental Health Association to eradicate the stigma connected with mental illness.  Her stance on mental health has brought awareness and fundraising support to the disorder and to a holistic approach to its treatment.

A proponent of social change and involvement, Maida has been outspoken on his democratic beliefs. Through his commitment to Apathy Is Boring, he has encouraged youth to be more active in their communities and the democratic process, and in turn, shape the course of the future.

Proud of her aboriginal ancestry, Kreviazuk is a passionate supporter of First Nations people and an advocate for their empowerment and the preservation of their history and heritage. This same commitment has instilled a deep appreciation in both her and Maida for Canada's great north and subsequently in Polar Bears International. The two are strong advocates of the organization in their work to protect the habitat of this vulnerable species while addressing the larger effects of climate change on the planet as a whole.

In addition to their humanitarian work, both Kreviazuk and Maida continue to be extraordinary forces in the Canadian music industry. Both multi-platinum selling artists, Kreviazuk has long been recognized as one of the premiere female artists in Canada with her signature piano-driven songwriting, while Maida has served as the driving force behind one of Canada's leading rock groups, Our Lady Peace, as well as his own solo career, with his unmatched vocal style and cryptically poetic lyrics.

Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida follow previous Humanitarian Spirit Award recipients Gary Slaight, Tom Cochrane, Denise Donlon, and Sarah McLachlan.

Tickets for the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards gala dinner are available for purchase through the Canadian Music Week website at www.cmw.net.

Canadian Music Week, proudly celebrating 30 years, is Canada's leading annual entertainment event dedicated to the expression and growth of the country's music, media and entertainment industries. Combining three information-intensive conferences; a trade exposition; a film festival; a comedy festival; four awards shows and the nation's largest New Music Festival - Canadian Music Fest - CMW spans a five-day period from March 21 to 25, 2012 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel and various downtown Toronto venues, attracting participants from across the globe. For more information, visit www.cmw.net

Image with caption: "One of Canada's premiere female artists and songwriters, Chantal Kreviazuk to be honoured with the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award in recognition of her longstanding commitment to charitable initiatives. (CNW Group/Canadian Music Week)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111017_C4858_PHOTO_EN_4959.jpg

Image with caption: "Raine Maida - the driving force behind one of Canada's leading rock groups, Our Lady Peace, as well as his own solo career - to be honoured with the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award in recognition of his longstanding commitment to charitable initiatives. (CNW Group/Canadian Music Week)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111017_C4858_PHOTO_EN_4960.jpg

Image with caption: Raine Maida - the driving force behind one of Canada's leading rock groups, Our Lady Peace, as well as his own solo career - to be honoured with the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award in recognition of his longstanding commitment to charitable initiatives. (CNW Group/Canadian Music Week)

For further information:

For Canadian Music Week information, please contact:
Bessie Bullard - Communications Director
T: 905.858.4747 E: [e-mail]