Toronto Lands Hall Of Fame

Toronto beat out several other cities to win the honor of housing the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences made the announcement May 17th, citing the city’s potential to bring in a large amount of visitors.

“It came down to the numbers Toronto could deliver,” CARAS President Melanie Berry said. “Our mandate is to promote Canadian artists internationally too, so the fact this location is the top tourist destination in Canada, drawing over 17 million tourists annually, was also key.”

The final choice was between Toronto and nearby Hamilton. Bids were also submitted by Winnipeg, Manitoba; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, according to the Canadian Press.

CARAS – the parent of the Juno Awards – has been inducting musicians and industry figures into the Hall since 1978, but the downtown Toronto site will be its first physical home. The Hall currently boasts 57 honorees.

The organization began soliciting bids for the project last June.

Additional branches of the Hall may eventually be constructed in other cities, officials said.