Legend Joni Mitchell adored by Juno crowd, in Canada-loving speech

Victoria-born-and-raised artist Nelly Furtado was also honoured during 'Canada's biggest night in music'

by Stuart Derdeyn
Vancouver Sun
March 30, 2026

Sixties legend Joni Mitchell received a lifetime achievement award at last night's 2026 Juno Awards.

The singer-songwriter, who splits her time between Los Angeles and the Sunshine Coast, shouted out Prime Minister Mark Carney, who presented her with the award, stressing that she is "so happy to be in Canada with our wonderful prime minister."

Mitchell went on to further comment that "I'm living in the States and, you know what's happening there," before receiving the first of many roaring rounds of applause from the adoring audience attending the awards in Hamilton.

She then went on to describe Carney again, noting to the cheering crowds that "this man is a blessing. You guys are so fortunate."

Looking stylish as ever in her cool black beret, the 82-year-old Mitchell was all smiles delivering her acceptance speech, even going so far as to call the 2015 brain aneurysm she experienced a positive.

"I went into a coma, which helped me quit smoking. And my house filled up with the most wonderful nurses. I was on the road with men for years. Now, I live in a house full of women ... so my life has changed for the better, out of a catastrophe, like a phoenix."

Walking with a cane following the injury, Mitchell then joined singers Sarah McLachlan, Allison Russell, Jully Black and others for a version of her 1970 smash hit Big Yellow Taxi. She took up a microphone during the performance to drop a few verses of the classic song as the musicians around her made clear how honoured they were to be sharing the stage with such a legend.

It was a moving tribute to an enduring artist whose music has influenced generations of others worldwide.

Mitchell, who had to relearn how to sing after her brain injury, has only performed a few times in recent years. It was interesting to see her face change from smiling to serious as she sang. She has always been intense and focused in the live show setting. The Junos were no different for the veteran artist.

Also honoured was Victoria-born-and-raised pop star Nelly Furtado, who was inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame by Toronto rapper Drake, who has snubbed the ceremony and awards for the past 15 years owing to not winning in 2011. While he turned up on the broadcast, Drake was not in the building.

"To the Junos, because you are honouring one of my dearest friends tonight, I will spare you, even though I know you're still thinking about those six awards that you gave to Shad in 2011 when you snubbed 'Take Care' as I hosted the 40th anniversary of your award show," he said. "But listen, that's neither here nor there. Tonight we'll let it go."