Canadian stars are coming out in a big, big way on Sunday evening for Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble, the biggest multi-platform event ever.
A mix of music and messages, the 94-minute special is a tribute to frontline workers fighting COVID-19 in support of Food Banks Canada.
“It’s so important to bring people together,” francophone pop star Marie-Mai said during a virtual press conference on Friday. “People work so hard on the frontlines and risk their own lives to save us, to heal us, so the least that we can do as entertainers is to give back.”
Here are some reasons to tune in to Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble:
There are, in fact, so many big names appearing on the show that if we listed them all, your thumbs would get sore from scrolling.
Homegrown music stars include Alessia Cara, Arkells, Avril Lavigne, Barenaked Ladies, Bryan Adams, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Burton Cummings, Célion Dion, Charlotte Cardin, Dallas Green, David Foster, Geddy Lee, Jann Arden, Justin Bieber, Marie-Mai, Michael Bublé, Robbie Robertson, Sarah McLachlan, Shania Twain and William Prince.
There are also messages from athletes like Bianca Andreescu, Connor McDavid, Hayley Wickenheiser, Morgan Rielly, Penny Oleksiak, Serge Ibaka and Tessa Virtue as well as actors and comedians like Eric McCormack, Howie Mandel, Jason Priestley, Kiefer Sutherland, Mike Myers, Rick Mercer, Russell Peters, Will Arnett – and the stars of Schitt’s Creek.
It will be almost impossible not to find Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble. The special is being broadcast on just about every Canadian network and on most of those network’s streaming services. For example, you will find the show on CTV as well as at CTV.ca and on the CTV app.
It will also be streamed right here on iHeartRadio.ca and on the iHeartRadio Canada app and broadcast on Virgin Radio stations across the country.
It starts at 6:30 pm in time zones across Canada (7 pm in Newfoundland and Labrador). And yes, it’s commercial-free.
If you have friends and family members outside Canada, Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble is your chance to show them how our stars come together at a time like this. They will be able to watch the show on the major networks’ websites, such as CTV.ca.
“Our country is going to show its mettle, once again,” said Michael Bublé during Friday’s virtual press conference. “And we’re going to show the world what great Canadian firepower is all about and how resilient and how strong and how much love we have.”
In addition to honouring frontline and essential workers across Canada, Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble is raising funds for Food Banks Canada to help individuals and families struggling to put food on their tables during the pandemic.
Philanthropist Gary Slaight has already stepped up and donated $100,000, but any amount helps – you can give $5, $10 or $20 by texting COVID to 30333 or make a donation via the Food Banks Canada website.
Lindsay Cox of Insight Productions said on Friday producers are aware that not everyone is in a position to give. “Should you wish to donate … that would be wonderful,” she said, during a press conference. “But what we are also saying is just enjoy this. Enjoy this time when we are all together, watching this show and watching our incredible artists.
“Watch it with awareness of how you can be better in your community and of your community heroes around you. The overarching theme of the show is hope and optimism.”
The special will culminate with the world premiere of a song featuring about two dozen Canadian music stars. The video for the uplifting cover of a classic comes with some celebrity cameos. Proceeds from the song will go to the Canadian Red Cross and its COVID-19 relief efforts.
You will want to stay tuned to the show until the very end. One word: Drake.