Billboard Canada Power Players 2026 Honors Industry Leaders and Artists in Toronto
The Billboard Canada Power Players 2026 event took place at Toronto's Rebel on June 10, bringing together influential figures in the Canadian music industry. The celebration featured emotional remarks, tributes, and surprise honors, including the induction of Vinny Cinquemani and Riley O’Connor into the Billboard Canada Hall of Fame. Notable honorees like Meg Symsyk and Margaret McGuffin were recognized for their significant contributions to the industry.
The most influential leaders in Canada's music industry gathered for the Billboard Canada Power Players celebration at Toronto’s Rebel on June 10, held as part of NXNE. The prestigious event included impactful remarks, heartfelt tributes, and a surprise honor to conclude the festivities. Many Power Players from the 2026 list were in attendance, including Gary Slaight, Madelaine Napoleone of Warner Music Canada, Julie Adam of Universal Music Canada, Erik Hoffman, Wayne Zronik, Melissa Bubb-Clarke of Live Nation Canada, and Allan Reid of the Junos/CARAS.
Quebec-based math rock duo Angine de Poitrine received the Billboard Canada Global Breakthrough Award, presented by FACTOR. The polka-dot-clad duo, known as Khn de Poitrine and Klek de Poitrine, accepted the award silently while their music played, showering the audience with black and white confetti before exiting the stage without a word.
Two prominent figures in the live music industry, Vinny Cinquemani, co-president of Paquin Artists Agency, and Riley O’Connor, chairman of Live Nation Canada, were inducted as the first-ever members of the Billboard Canada Hall of Fame, recognizing their decades-long dedication to the country and its artists.
Meg Symsyk, president and CEO of FACTOR, accepted the Visionary Leadership award, presented by Billboard Canada national editor Richard Trapunski. Symsyk noted that the award comes during a busy period for FACTOR, following the public settlement of a lawsuit between FACTOR and Scotiabank earlier in the month. She highlighted FACTOR's continued and expanded support for Canadian artists.
Margaret McGuffin, CEO of Music Publishers Canada, was honored with the Impact Award. She was recognized for her advocacy on behalf of Canadian creators to ensure fair compensation and licensing in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, as well as her mentorship of emerging talent.
According to Billboard, the event highlighted significant achievements and challenges within the Canadian music sector, from artist recognition to industry leadership in the age of AI.
