The John Drainie Award was an award given to an individual who has made a significant contribution to broadcasting in Canada. Although meant to be presented annually, there have been years where it was not presented.

Originally created by ACTRA in 1968 as a standalone award,"Broadcasters Honor W. O. Mitchell". Calgary Herald, October 5, 1968. the award was named in memory of Canadian actor John Drainie following his death in 1966, and was presented as part of the Canadian Film Awards ceremonies for its first four years. Beginning in 1972 it was presented as part of the expanded ACTRA Awards program.

The award was transferred in 1986 to the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television and presented as part of the Gemini Awards;Tony Atherton, "Viewer curiosity behind Geminis success story". Ottawa Citizen, March 3, 1996. the award was later transferred back to the ACTRA Awards in the 2000s, and presented as part of the Banff Television Festival.

Unlike other awards which are voted on by the Academy's board of directors, the recipient of the John Drainie Award was selected by a committee of previous winners. Any branch of the Academy's Television Division may put forth nominations to the Drainie Committee for consideration. The recipient receives a plaque with Drainie's likeness rather than a Gemini statuette. It was presented posthumously on some occasions but current ACTRA policy is to present this award to living people.

Winners The following people have won the award since 1968.

Canadian Film Awards 1968: Esse Ljungh, W. O. Mitchell, Jean Murray, Tommy Tweed 1969: Andrew Allan"Award winner". Nanaimo Daily News, February 27, 1970. 1970: Harry J. Boyle"John Drainie Award For Harry Boyle". Ottawa Journal, October 5, 1970. 1971: Lister SinclairMarci McDonald, "Man of many titles". Vancouver Sun, July 18, 1972.

ACTRA Awards 1972: Graham Spry"Bujold, Berton win ACTRA awards". The Globe and Mail, April 17, 1972. 1973: Rupert CaplanBlaik Kirby, "Radio gets most awards while TV gets barely a look in". The Globe and Mail, April 30, 1973. 1974: Len PetersonBlaik Kirby, "Blunders by CBC in awards telecast". The Globe and Mail, March 4, 1974. 1975: Robert Weaver"William Hutt wins ACTRA best acting award". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, April 24, 1975. 1976: Jane MallettBlaik Kirby, "CBC dominates ACTRA Awards, but show itself slips". The Globe and Mail, April 22, 1976. 1977: John Reeves"CBC's own artists take bows in ACTRA awards". Edmonton Journal, April 15, 1977. 1978: Wayne and ShusterBlaik Kirby, "Opera surprise winner". The Globe and Mail, March 23, 1978. 1979: Ruth Springford"The winners". Ottawa Citizen, April 5, 1979. 1980: Norman CampbellRick Groen, "Drying Up the Streets cleans up on ACTRAs". The Globe and Mail, April 10, 1980. 1981: Frances HylandRick Groen, "Waxman, Establishment take Actras". The Globe and Mail, April 4, 1981. 1982: Mavor MooreRick Groen, "Cadeau, Missing Kid take top ACTRAs". The Globe and Mail, May 13, 1982. 1983: Lucio AgostiniRick Groen, "Air Farce, Billy Bishop big ACTRA winners". The Globe and Mail, April 18, 1983. 1984: Robert ChristieRick Groen, "Popular mini-series dominates ACTRA awards: Empire earns big dividend". The Globe and Mail, April 4, 1984. 1985: Fred Diehl"'Chautauqua Girl' captures top Nellie". Montreal Gazette, April 4, 1985. 1986: Bernard CowanTheresa Boyle, "Announcer Bernard Cowan dies". Toronto Star, July 18, 1990.

Gemini Awards 1986: Pat PattersonSid Adilman, "TV's movers and shakers celebrate historic event". Toronto Star, December 4, 1986. 1987: Ross McLeanJohn Haslett Cuff, "Donald Brittain wins two Gemini Awards". The Globe and Mail, December 9, 1987. 1988: Davidson Dunton"All the 1988 Gemini winners". Vancouver Sun, December 1, 1988. 1989: Peter Gzowski"Peter Gzowski to receive top broadcasting award". Toronto Star, November 22, 1989. 1990: Allan McFeeBill Anderson, "Canadian TV industry honored with Geminis". Halifax Daily News, December 5, 1990. 1991: not presented 1992: Gordon Pinsent"Pinsent wins Drainie Award". The Globe and Mail, February 25, 1992. 1993: Barbara Frum"Barbara Frum honoured". The Globe and Mail, February 24, 1993. 1994: Max FergusonMike Boone, "Gemini gems from Max Ferguson; Radio legend provides highlight of Canada's TV awards". Montreal Gazette, March 8, 1994. 1995: Knowlton Nash"Nash to get media prize". Vancouver Sun, February 10, 1995. 1996: Dodi RobbChristopher Harris, "Due South dominates Geminis: This Hour Has 22 Minutes also big winner at 10th annual Canadian TV awards". The Globe and Mail, March 4, 1996. 1997: Joe Schlesinger"CBC dominates second night of Geminis". Canadian Press, March 1, 1997. 1998 (Mar): Peter Herrndorf"TVO chief wins Drainie award". Ottawa Citizen, January 31, 1998. 1998 (Oct): Bernie LuchtJohn McKay, "Gemini weekend again praises the best Canadian TV". Canadian Press, September 29, 1998. 1999: Pierre BertonJohn McKay, "Milgaard, Da Vinci top Gemini winners". Kingston Whig-Standard, November 8, 1999. 2000: Shelagh RogersBrenda Bouw, "Fifth estate big winner: CBC documentary program collects four Geminis on weekend". National Post, October 30, 2000.

Banff World Media Festival 2001: not presented 2002: David Suzuki"Suzuki recognized with award". Barrie Examiner, June 11, 2002. 2003: Jim Murray"Mansbridge, Dale to co-host tribute to U.S.". Calgary Herald, May 13, 2003. 2004: Daryl DukeAlex Strachan, "Champion of Canadian broadcasting honoured at Banff fest". Montreal Gazette, June 12, 2004. 2005: Vicki Gabereau"Vicki Gabereau to be honoured at Banff TV fest". Canadian Press, May 25, 2005. 2006: Wendy Mesley"Mesley to be honoured at Banff TV festival". Waterloo Region Record, May 17, 2006. 2008: Carol Off"CBC's Carol Off wins 2008 John Drainie Award". The Globe and Mail, October 30, 2000. 2011: Barbara Budd"Barbara Budd honoured". Prince George Citizen, May 3, 2011. 2014: Mack Furlong"Mack Furlong Wins Actra’s 2014 John Drainie Award". The Overcast, September 26, 2014.

See also Canadian television awards

References