3 Quebecers win Governor General's Performing Arts Awards

Three Quebecers are on the list of this year's Governor General's Performing Arts Awards.

Robert Lantos, Marie Chouinard and Suzanne LeBeau were all honoured for "their outstanding lifetime contribution to Canada's cultural life."

• FULL STORY: Michael Bublé, Susan Aglukark win Governor General's Performing Arts Awards

The Hungarian-born Lantos, who studied literature at McGill University before founding Alliance Communications, runs one of Canada's most successful film production and distribution companies. 

His film credits include Golden Globe winner and Oscar-nominated Barney's Version and Cannes Film Festival winner The Sweet Hereafter.

Choreographer Marie Chouinard is known for her experimental dance, often incorporating props into the costumes of her dancers.

A new choreography by Chouinard created for the 90th anniversary of the Martha Graham Dance Company gets its world premiere April 14 at the New York City Centre.

Playwright Suzanne LeBeau has been writing plays for children for over three decades.  

Her work has been translated into 15 languages and she is one of the most widely performed Quebec authors in the world. LeBeau won a Governor General's Award for Literature in 2009 for Le bruit des os qui craquent.

Organizers are announcing the 2016 recipients Thursday morning at the Phi Centre in Old Montreal.

Below is a complete list of the recipients:

• filmmaker and producer Robert Lantos
• tenor Ben Heppner
• choreographer and dancer Marie Chouinard 
• singer-songwriter Susan Aglukark 
• playwright Suzanne LeBeau 
• singer Michael Bublé 
• philanthropist John D. McKellar

Veteran Quebec actor, director and arts advocate Albert Millaire was also chosen to mentor playwright Benjamin Pradet as part of the 2016 Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Mentorship Program.

Created in 1992 by former governor general Ramon John Hnatyshyn, the annual honour is Canada's highest distinction for excellence in the performing arts, including theatre, dance, classical music, popular music, film and broadcasting.