Neil Young was treated for a brain aneurysm on Tuesday

Singer KD Lang called the guitarist and singer-songwriter "an artist who has maintained his integrity, vision and purity" at the Juno Awards in Winnipeg.

Pop star Avril Lavigne won three awards at the event, including best artist.

Young was treated for a brain aneurysm in New York on Tuesday. Doctors expect him to make a full recovery.

A spokesman for the show said Young watched the awards at the Canadian consulate and was moved by Lang's performance of his song Helpless.

Rock band The Tragically Hip were honoured at the ceremony

Sarah Harmer, winner of best adult alternative album, said: "Neil Young is one of those people that I love so much... I'm sorry for the city that he's not here."

Other winners included Californian punk band Green Day, who picked up international album of the year, and Canadian group Sum 41, who won rock album of the year.

Rock band The Tragically Hip were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Lavigne, who was not at the ceremony, also won pop album of the year and the fan choice award.

The 20-year-old from Napanee, Ontario, also won three awards at the 2003 Junos.