Canadian singer Michael Buble said he is humbled to be able to represent his home country on musical stages around the world and feel supported during what has been a tough time for his young family.

含羞草研究社淚 stand here truly humbled that I have been allowed to be one of your musical representatives and that you would choose to bestow this honour upon me during what has been an emotionally difficult time for my family,含羞草研究社� Buble said Wednesday during a rare public appearance in Ottawa.

At Rideau Hall to receive a medal from Gov. Gen. David Johnston as part of the 2017 Governor General含羞草研究社檚 Performing Arts Awards, it was the first public event for Buble, 41, since announcing last fall that his three-year-old son, Noah, is battling cancer.

含羞草研究社淚 thank you for the love and support that you含羞草研究社檝e given me and for the pride I含羞草研究社檓 filled with every single time I含羞草研究社檓 able to stand on a stage and say, 含羞草研究社楳y name is Michael Steven Buble and I am Canadian,含羞草研究社� Buble, who was born in Burnaby, B.C., said to resounding applause as he capped off his short speech.

The singer did not mention the illness, but appeared emotional as he spoke of the love he has for his wife, model Luisana Lopilato, and their two children, including their one-year-old son Elias, as well as his parents and sisters.

含羞草研究社淭here are no words to describe how I feel about you,含羞草研究社� Buble said. 含羞草研究社淪ometimes, 含羞草研究社業 love you含羞草研究社� just isn含羞草研究社檛 enough because what I feel is just so much more.含羞草研究社�

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In April, Lopilato held a news conference in her native Argentina to say Noah was progressing well from treatment.

His family was there to see him receive the National Arts Centre Award, which recognizes an achievement from the previous performance year.

Buble released his ninth studio album, called 含羞草研究社淣obody But Me,含羞草研究社� in October.

Other honorees at the ceremony, to be followed by a gala Thursday evening, included actors Michael J. Fox and Martin Short, who both spoke of how Canada has inspired and supported them as they accepted lifetime achievement awards for broadcasting.

含羞草研究社淚 would like to thank Canada for the warm embrace of home,含羞草研究社� said Fox, 56, who is was being recognized for his career as an actor but also for supporting research into Parkinson含羞草研究社檚 disease, which he has had since the early 1990s.

Fox told the audience that whenever he goes to see the New York Rangers play a Canadian team, he sings along to both national anthems, but he always sings 含羞草研究社淥 Canada含羞草研究社� a little louder.

含羞草研究社淚 learned it first and I know it best,含羞草研究社� he said.

Short, 67, said that has never met an American who was not a tad jealous of his Canadian passport, especially since U.S. President Donald Trump came to the White House.

含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檙e the aliens they don含羞草研究社檛 deport,含羞草研究社� Short said to laughter.

Joanna Smith, The Canadian Press

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