Joni Mitchell accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Junos, the annual awards show hosted by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. She later joined Sarah McLachlan and Allison Russell for a tribute medley performance of “Big Yellow Taxi.” Prime Minister Mark Carney presented the trophy after a heartfelt introduction.
Mitchell received the award from Prime Minister Mark Carney, who introduced her warmly. In her acceptance speech, she praised Carney’s leadership, mentioned unrest in the United States, and reflected on her life changes following a brain aneurysm. “I had a [brain] aneurysm, which changed my life — oddly, for the better,” she said. “I went into a coma, which helped me to quit smoking. And my house filled up with the most wonderful nurses. I was, on the road with men for years and years; now I live with a house full of women. So my life has changed for the better out of a catastrophe like a phoenix.” CARAS described Mitchell as “one of Canada’s most influential and enduring creative voices,” noting her impact on folk, rock, pop, and jazz through her voice, guitar playing, and lyrics. This marks the third Lifetime Achievement Award, following Anne Murray last year and Pierre Juneau in 1989. Mitchell previously won four Junos and was inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame in 1981. Born in Alberta and raised in Saskatchewan, Mitchell had not attended public events in Canada since 2013. Her 2015 brain aneurysm led to a period out of the public eye, but she has since performed at events including Newport Folk Festival in 2022, the 2024 Grammy Awards, Joni Jam concerts, and California FireAid last year.
