Lavigne met Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien ahead of the awards

The singer, from Napanee, Ontario, won four prizes including best single, album and new artist.

Aged just 18, she has become one of the world's most popular female artists with pop-punk hits like Sk8r Boi and Complicated.

Another Canadian star, Shania Twain, hosted Sunday's show and won three awards.

Twain and Lavigne both performed to the 15,000-strong crowd at the ceremony in the country's capital, Ottawa.

Lavigne picked up the best album prize for her debut, Let Go, beating other nominees including Twain and Celine Dion.

MAIN JUNO WINNERS Best single - Avril Lavigne, Complicated International album - The Eminem Show Best album - Avril Lavigne, Let Go Best group - Sum 41 Best new artist - Avril Lavigne

Let Go was also named best pop album while her single Complicated won single of the year.

She has appealed to young fans around the world by cultivating an image as a rebellious rocker while singing commercial pop songs.

She was nominated for five Grammy Awards but won none earlier in the year.

Sunday's ceremony was the second of two Juno nights after some awards were given out at a gala dinner Saturday.

Twain won artist of the year, the Juno fan choice award and best country recording for I'm Gonna Getcha Good!

US rapper Eminem's album The Eminem Show was named best international album while Ontario rock band Sum 41 were named group of the year.