Music

Toronto mayor Rob Ford proclaims March 28 "Neil Young Day"

by Ciaran Thompson

Hours after Neil Young was honored last night at the Juno Awards with the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award, recognizing “an outstanding Canadian artist whose humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada,” Toronto mayor Rob Ford announced that March 28 will now be known as “Neil Young Day.”

The proclamation was posted on the City of Toronto’s official website. It reads:

Young has been an outspoken advocate on many issues. He has promoted environmentalism and sustainability through his Farm Aid benefit concerts and his recent work with LincVolt in the development of an experimental electric car. Young also helped found The Bridge School, an educational organization for children with severe verbal and physical impairments.

For his charitable work, he was named the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year by The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and is the recipient of the 2011 Allan Waters Humanitarian Award, an award that recognizes an outstanding Canadian artist whose humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada.

The impact of Neil Young’s music as well as his philanthropy has touched millions of lives and spans generations. He is a proud Canadian and stands as an exemplary humanitarian whose dedication to deserving causes and to the music industry is a true inspiration.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Rob Ford, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim March 28, 2011 as “Neil Young Day“

In addition to last night’s honor award, Young also took home two Junos for Artist of the Year (over Justin Bieber, of course) and Adult Alternative Album of the Year for his latest record Le Noise.