Honourary Patron
The Honourable
Tommy Banks, O.C., Senator
Tommy Banks is known to many Canadians as an accomplished and versatile musician and entertainer. He is a recipient of the Juno Award, the Gemini Award, and the Grand prix du Disque.
From 1968 to 1983 he was the host of the Tommy Banks show on television. He has provided musical direction for the ceremonies of The Commonwealth Games, The World University Games, EXPO ’86, The XV Olympic Winter Games, various command performances; and has performed as guest conductor of symphony orchestras throughout Canada, the United States, and in Europe.
He was founding chairman of the Alberta Foundation for the Performing Arts. He is the recipient of an Honourary Diploma of Music from Grant MacEwan College, and an Honourary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Alberta, and of the Sir Frederick Haultain Prize.
He is an Officer of the Order of Canada, and a Member of the Alberta Order of Excellence.
Tommy Banks was called to the Senate of Canada on 7 April 2000. On 9 May 2001 he was appointed vice-chair of the Prime Minister’s Caucus Task Force on Urban Issues.
He is currently Chair of the Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, a member of the Committee on National Security and Defence, and a member of the Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration Committee. He is Chair of the Alberta Liberal Caucus, and Vice-Chair of the Northern & Western Regional Liberal Caucus in the Parliament of Canada.
A Calgary-born lifelong Albertan, he moved to Edmonton in 1949 where he resides with Ida, as do their grown children and their families.