TV actor Raymond Burr, who plays "Perry Mason," is shown in a 1959 file photo. Comedian Howie Mandel, rocker Tom Cochrane, kids author Robert Munsch and the late `Perry Mason' actor Burr are among the latest inductees to Canada's Walk of Fame. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP

TORONTO - Comedian Howie Mandel, rocker Tom Cochrane, kids author Robert Munsch and the late "Perry Mason" actor Raymond Burr are among the latest inductees to Canada's Walk of Fame.

Other honourees announced at a news conference Tuesday include identical-twin fashion designers Dean & Dan Caten, actress Kim Cattrall, rockers Blue Rodeo and wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc.

"The list this year, more than any other year, defines the true essence of the Canadian identity," Peter Soumalias, CEO and president of Canada's Walk of Fame, said in an interview after the names were unveiled.

"It's a conscientious initiative that we undertook this year to not only define what the Canadian identity is but also to ensure that the honour is bestowed to the people that best represent it."

That Canuck identity, he said, includes diversity, peacefulness, creativity, social responsibility, boldness, success and humility.

"Each one of these candidates this year that we're honouring represent that," said Soumalias.

Canadian comedian Carla Collins, who hosted the news conference, called it a "phenomenal list," adding that she counts a few of the new inductees among her friends.

"Some of them I know," she said. "Tom Cochrane, Dean and Dan, fashion boys, so happy to see the twins announced, and of course I haven't met her but I'm a huge Kim Cattrall fan, Blue Rodeo."

Collins lives in Los Angeles these days, where she filmed her latest show "Carlawood," which debuted in April on TVtropolis.

Her husband's late father, actor Tyrone Power, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which she joked is located in a less desirable area than the Toronto entertainment district that is home to Canada's Walk of Fame.

"It's crazy in Hollywood so you have the Walk of Fame but it's in a kind of a sketchy area," she said. "And you've got Barney and Darth Vader walking by and people trying to sell you CDs."

This year's eight Canadian inductees will receive their stars and be feted at "The Canada Honours" gala in the city on Sept. 12.

Thousands of names were submitted this year for consideration for the 12th annual honour by way of a public voting process that was open to anyone from around the world, said Soumalias.

About 35 per cent of the nominations received this year came from outside the country, he added.

The final decision is made by Walk of Fame organizers except for the posthumous honour, which is determined by an online vote.

The new crop of inductees join 116 others who've already been honoured by Canada's Walk of Fame, which recognizes talent in the fields of music, sport, film, television, literature, visual and performing arts, science and innovation.

To qualify, candidates must have been born in Canada or spent their formative or creative years here and must have a body of work recognized for its impact on Canada's cultural heritage.

Previous inductees include Alanis Morissette, Paul Anka, Jim Carrey, Shania Twain, William Hutt and Wayne Gretzky.