Blue Rodeo, Tom Jackson among winners of Governor General's arts awards

Jim Cuddy (left) and Greg Keelor of Blue Rodeo pose for a photo in Toronto on Monday November 9, 2009. (THE CANADIAN PRESS / Frank Gunn)

MONTREAL -- Toronto rock band Blue Rodeo and noted Metis actor Tom Jackson were among the winners Wednesday of the 2014 Governor General's Performing Arts Awards.

Blue Rodeo, which was founded in 1984, has sold more than four million records and won an unprecedented 11 Juno awards.

Frontman Jim Cuddy said in a telephone interview from Toronto that the band was excited to get the lifetime achievement award.

"Initially, we were kind of stunned," he told The Canadian Press.

"We're not used to participating in this world, the world of high honours. We're used to our world of concerts, Junos, and this is something entirely different. We were stunned. We're very pleased, very grateful."

He said he is particularly pleased the honour is for the whole band.

"It's for a lifetime of work so it really takes in all the members that have played in Blue Rodeo. I think the impact is it's kind of like having accolades for having lasted and there's nothing wrong with that."

British Columbia actor Brent Carver has also been recognized with a lifetime artistic achievement award.

Other winners include three Quebecers -- actress Janine Sutto, dancer and teacher Anik Bissonnette and choreographer and dancer Louise Lecavalier.

The laureates were announced at ceremonies Wednesday in Montreal, Toronto, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Calgary and Winnipeg.

Actor Albert Schultz, who is the founding artistic director of the acclaimed Soulpepper Theatre Co. in Toronto, was also recognized with the National Arts Centre Award.

The Governor General's Performing Arts Awards were founded in 1992 and are given to Canadians whose accomplishments are deemed to have inspired and enriched the country.