Michael Bubl, Michael J. Fox, Martin Short get Governor General's Performing Arts Awards

It was a love-in for Canada Wednesday night at Ottawa'sRideauHall, as recipient after recipientof the Governor General's Performing Arts Awardssang the country's praises.

ActorsMartin Short, Michael J. Foxand crooner MichaelBublwere among this year's honourees, along with theatre director Brigitte Haentjens, filmmaker Jean Beaudin, philanthropist William Loewen and theatre artist Yves Sioui Durand.

Short famed for his work onSCTVand on stagejoked in his speech about Justin Trudeauand Short'sbox office bombMars Attacks!(a movie thatcame up several times through the ceremony).

Martin Short praises himself at Governor General Performing Arts Awards

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Sharp with his cheeky humour, Short said award was an honour for 'a huge Canadian icon' like himself

But he was sincereabout how much Canada means to him.

"I have loved and have been so proud of being a Canadian my entire life. It is like being the hippest member of any club you want to join," he said.

"I can honestly say that I've never met an American who wasn't just a tad bit envious of my passport."

Short, who hails from Hamilton, Ont., but lives in the U.S., called Canadians who lived there"the aliens they don't deport." The comedian was given alifetime artistic achievement inbroadcast.

Bubl returns during 'difficult' time

Bublopted fora more serious ode to Canada, praising the countryfor its diversity and the support it hasshown the singer's family in an "emotional and difficult" time.

Bubl stepped away from performing late last yearafter his son Noah was diagnosed with cancer. He wasactually named an honoureein 2016but was unable to receive it due tofamily commitments.

He looked emotional while accepting the National Arts Centre awardand stressed the importance of family.

Michael Bubl thanks Canada for support during 'difficult time'

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The crooner's son has been battling cancer. Bubl was a honouree at the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards ceremony

He said Canada was a land born of Aboriginal people, settlers and immigrants, "different colours, languages, religions. Yet we share the same decent humanity, the same dreams, hopes and fears."

"Our country has a way of making all of us feel that we are completely distinct while in no way giving off an air of superiority."

Fox, the Edmonton-born Emmy winner,credited a particular Canadian talent for kick-starting his interest in actingMr. Dressup, a kid's show he grew up watching on CBC.

"Ernie Coombsis as responsible as anyone for my fascination with acting," he said of the actor who played the titular role. "Long before I even heard of Mr. Rogers or Captain Kangaroo, the Friendly Giant and Mr. Dressup were teaching me to cherish and honour my own imagination and send me off to school envisioning a world of limitless possibility."

Fox was honoured with a lifetime artistic achievement in broadcast for his three-decade film and TV career, which includesFamily Ties, theBack to the FuturetrilogyandThe Good Wife.He's also an advocate for those living with Parkinson's disease, with which he was diagnosed in 1991.

Michael J. Fox thanks Mr. Dressup for getting him into acting

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While accepting his lifetime artistic achievement award at Rideau Hall, the actor called Ernie Coombs one of his biggest early influences

Fox thanked his family including hissister,Kelli,a fellow actor, as well as some of his high school teachers for believing in his acting aspirations.

"I like to thank Canada for the warm embrace from home."

Awards turn 25 this year

And there's more celebration to come.

Though the honourees were handed their awards Wednesday, they will be feted again Thursday with a gala at the National Arts Centre, which includes performances and tributes.CBC will live stream the gala Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.

Theawards, which turn 25 this year,recognize Canadian artists from a host of disciplines, including classical and popular music, theatre, dance, film and broadcasting.

The ceremony also celebrates arts volunteers and philanthropists with a special prize named after former governor generalRamon John Hnatyshyn, who founded the annual awards in 1992.

'We're the aliens they don't deport:' Martin Short on Canadians in Trump's America

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The comedian made it clear that Canada's got a lot the U.S. doesn't during his Governor General Performing Arts Award speech

A newer addition, the award foundation's mentorship program, matches a past lifetime achievement winner with a promising protege. This year's pair wereformer prima ballerina and National Ballet of Canada artistic director Karen Kain and Toronto choreographer and dancer Robert Binet.

CBC will broadcasta condensedhour-long special of the awards Fridayat9 p.m. ET on TV and online.