Music Canada celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Gold & Platinum Certification Program at the JUNOS

Posted March 29, 2025 by Regan Reid

In honour of the 50th anniversary of Music Canada’s Gold & Platinum Certification Program, we have teamed up with the JUNOS to create a truly unique ode to the albums and songs Canadians have loved most over the past five decades.

As JUNO-nominated artists and their teams walk the gold carpet at the JUNO Awards Gala Presented by Music Canada in Vancouver, they’ll be greeted by a 12-foot by 24-foot wall showcasing 50 Gold & Platinum-certified plaques – one from each year of the Program’s history.

The Gold & Platinum Certification Program honours milestone sales and streaming accomplishments of artists in Canada. Fifty years on, the iconic plaques continue to be the most recognizable symbol of commercial success in the music industry.

Selecting 50 plaques to display at the JUNOS was no easy task, given that Music Canada has issued more than 30,000 certifications over the years. Our team scanned the archives and recent certifications, selecting one Canadian artist with a JUNOs connection for each year of the Program’s history.

The final selection of 50 alternating Gold and Platinum plaques offers a unique snapshot into the variety of artists and music that Canadians have loved over five decades.

“Each of the artists celebrated on this wall earned their Gold and Platinum certification because Canadian music listeners chose to buy their records, purchase their digital downloads, and stream their music,” says Patrick Rogers, CEO of Music Canada. “As the voice of commercial music in Canada, we are proud to celebrate our Program’s milestone at the JUNOS – an event unlike any other – when the Canadian industry gathers to toast the incredible talent this country has to offer.”

In addition to highlighting the work of great Canadian artists, the Wall also offers a look at how Canadians have listened to music. As the industry evolved, so too did the Program, certifying everything from physical singles, ringtones, and DVDs to digital downloads, audio and video streaming.

It’s also important to note that the selected plaques include the certification as it was issued in the year specified – but many of these songs and albums have gone on to reach even higher levels of certification.

As the Canadian music industry gathers in Vancouver to celebrate the 2025 JUNO Awards, we’d like to thank the team at CARAS for providing us the opportunity to shine a light on our Program. Be sure to check out our Gold & Platinum wall on March 28 at the JUNO Awards Gala, and follow Music Canada on social media for more.

Below, the 50 selected plaques that will be showcased:

Year	Artist	Title	Certification
1975	PAUL ANKA	I DON’T LIKE TO SLEEP ALONE	GOLD PHYSICAL SINGLE
1976	ANDRE GAGNON	NEIGES	PLATINUM ALBUM
1977	DAN HILL	DAN HILL	GOLD ALBUM
1978	RUSH	2112	PLATINUM ALBUM
1979	TRIUMPH	TRIUMPH	GOLD ALBUM
1980	GINETTE RENO	JE NE SUIS QU’UNE CHANSON	DOUBLE PLATINUM ALBUM
1981	ROUGH TRADE	AVOID FREUD	GOLD ALBUM
1982	LOVERBOY	GET LUCKY	DOUBLE PLATINUM ALBUM
1983	MEN WITHOUT HATS	SAFETY DANCE	GOLD PHYSICAL SINGLE
1984	ANNE MURRAY	ANNE MURRAY’S GREATEST HITS	SIX TIMES PLATINUM ALBUM
1985	LUBA	LET IT GO	GOLD PHYSICAL SINGLE
1986	GLASS TIGER	THE THIN RED LINE	PLATINUM ALBUM
1987	K.D. LANG AND THE RECLINES	ANGEL WITH A LARIAT	GOLD ALBUM
1988	CELINE DION	INCOGNITO	PLATINUM ALBUM
1989	LEONARD COHEN	I’M YOUR MAN	GOLD ALBUM
1990	ALANNAH MYLES	ALANNAH MYLES	QUINTUPLE PLATINUM ALBUM
1991	LOREENA MCKENNITT	THE VISIT	GOLD ALBUM
1992	THE TRAGICALLY HIP	FULLY COMPLETELY	PLATINUM ALBUM
1993	BLUE RODEO	5 DAYS IN JULY	GOLD ALBUM
1994	BARENAKED LADIES	GORDON	EIGHT TIMES PLATINUM ALBUM
1995	ALANIS MORISSETTE	JAGGED LITTLE PILL	GOLD ALBUM
1996	JANN ARDEN	LIVING UNDER JUNE	QUINTUPLE PLATINUM ALBUM
1997	OUR LADY PEACE	CLUMSY	GOLD ALBUM
1998	SUSAN AGLUKARK	THIS CHILD	TRIPLE PLATINUM ALBUM
1999	DEBORAH COX	ONE WISH	GOLD ALBUM
2000	GREAT BIG SEA	UP	QUADRUPLE PLATINUM ALBUM
2001	SUM 41	ALL KILLER NO FILLER	GOLD ALBUM
2002	NELLY FURTADO	WHOA, NELLY!	QUADRUPLE PLATINUM ALBUM
2003	MICHAEL BUBLÉ	MICHAEL BUBLÉ	GOLD ALBUM
2004	SARAH HARMER	YOU WERE HERE	PLATINUM ALBUM
2005	KESHIA CHANTE	KESHIA CHANTE	GOLD ALBUM
2006	NICKELBACK	PHOTOGRAPH	PLATINUM DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
2007	MARIE ELAINE THIBERT	COMME ÇA	GOLD ALBUM
2008	GREGORY CHARLES	I THINK OF YOU	TRIPLE PLATINUM ALBUM
2009	BILLY TALENT	BILLY TALENT III	GOLD ALBUM
2010	THREE DAYS GRACE	LIFE STARTS NOW	PLATINUM ALBUM
2011	KARKWA	LES CHEMINS DE VERRE	GOLD ALBUM
2012	DRAKE	TAKE CARE	DOUBLE PLATINUM DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
2013	ANJULIE	YOU AND I	GOLD DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
2014	DOWN WITH WEBSTER	CHILLS	PLATINUM DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
2015	THE WEEKND	BEAUTY BEHIND THE MADNESS	GOLD ALBUM
2016	RUTH B	LOST BOY	TRIPLE PLATINUM SINGLE
2017	SIMPLE PLAN	I DON’T WANNA GO TO BED	GOLD SINGLE
2018	LOUD LUXURY	BODY (FT BRANDO)	SEVEN TIMES PLATINUM SINGLE
2019	JESSIE REYEZ	IMPORTED (WITH 6LACK)	GOLD SINGLE
2020	JP SAXE	IF THE WORLD WAS ENDING (FT JULIA MICHAELS)	QUADRUPLE PLATINUM SINGLE
2021	CHARLOTTE CARDIN	PHOENIX	GOLD ALBUM
2022	TATE MCRAE	YOU BROKE ME FIRST	SIX TIMES PLATINUM SINGLE
2023	JOSH ROSS	TROUBLE	GOLD SINGLE
2024	KARAN AUJLA	ADMIRIN’ YOU	PLATINUM SINGLE

Categories: News Release
Tags: Gold & Platinum 50, Gold/Platinum, JUNOS 2025

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Music Canada’s Gold & Platinum program celebrates 50 years

Posted January 9, 2025 by Regan Reid

January 9, 2025, TORONTO, ON: Music Canada’s Gold & Platinum certification program is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025. For half a century, the program has marked the milestone sales and streaming accomplishments of artists in Canada – making the distinctive Gold and Platinum plaques the most recognizable symbol of commercial success in the music industry.

Since 1975, the Gold & Platinum program has recognized popular music in Canada, providing a unique historical timeline of the music Canadians have loved over the past five decades.

“As we look back on 50 years of the program’s history, you can see the impact and reach of songs that defined generations, hit singles that captured the culture of the day, and all the ways that different technologies have influenced how we consume the music of our lives,” says Patrick Rogers, CEO of Music Canada. “There is no greater benchmark of success than a Gold & Platinum certification, because it reflects what Canadians listen to and love.”

In its first year, the program issued 27 Album and seven Physical Single certifications. The Program’s first-ever certifications, which were issued on August 1, 1975, were:

Paul Anka	Anka	Platinum Album
Bachman-Turner Overdrive	Four Wheel Drive	Platinum Album
Beau Dommage	Beau Dommage	Platinum Album
Paul Anka	Feelings	Gold Album
Jim Croce	Greatest Hits	Gold Album
John Denver	Back Home Again	Gold Album
John Denver	Evening with John Denver	Gold Album
George McCrae	Rock Your Baby	Gold Album
The Guess Who	The Best of Vol. 2	Gold Album
Paul Anka	“I Don’t Like to Sleep Alone”	Gold Physical Single

The program has always reflected how people listen to their favourite songs and albums, beginning with vinyl albums and 45 rpm vinyl singles, then cassette tapes, CDs, digital downloads, ringtones, audio streaming and most recently, video streaming. As the industry continues to evolve, the Gold & Platinum program will grow alongside it and continue to celebrate the music that Canadians choose to listen to, wherever they choose to listen to it.

Today, the genres of music and the artists finding commercial success are broader and more diverse than ever before. In 2024, the program certified 1,025 Singles and 211 Albums, including:

Benson Boone	“Beautiful Things”	Diamond Single
Tate McRae	“you broke me first”	Eight Times Platinum Single
Sabrina Carpenter	“Espresso”	Seven Times Platinum Single
Dax	“Dear Alcohol”	Double Platinum Single
Josh Ross	“Trouble”	Double Platinum Single
Koriass, Jay Scøtt	“Matusalem”	Gold Single
Preston Pablo	“Dance Alone”	Gold Single
Cameron Whitcomb	“Quitter”	Gold Single
Charlotte Cardin	99 Nights	Platinum Album
Karan Aujla	Making Memories	Gold Album

Music Canada will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Gold & Platinum program throughout the year with special events, playlists and presentations. And to officially mark the anniversary, each new Gold & Platinum program plaque presented in 2025 to artists and their teams will include a commemorative 50th Anniversary pin.

Follow Gold & Platinum on Instagram and X for weekly posts celebrating the program’s rich history, and contribute to the conversation with #GoldPlat50.

About Music Canada

Music Canada is the trade association representing Canada’s major record labels: Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada. Like its members, Music Canada is a partner to the industry, working with artists, independent labels, publishers, platforms, associations and others, in advancing forward-looking policies to ensure a dynamic and successful Canadian music ecosystem which returns value to music creators.

For more information:

Regan Reid

rreid@musiccanada.com

Categories: Gold/Platinum
Tags: Gold/Platinum, GoldPlat50

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Music Publishers Canada and Music Canada launch new Songwriting and Music Publishing Award

Posted May 17, 2022 by Quentin Burgess

May 17, 2022, Toronto: Music Publishers Canada and Music Canada are excited to launch their new Songwriting and Music Publishing Award. The award celebrates songwriters’ and music publishers’ contributions to officially certified Canadian Gold and Platinum recordings.

“Songwriters and music publishers have always played a vital role in the creation of Canadian songs that are heard daily on the radio, on streaming services, in video games, and on film and television productions seen around the world. We are proud to now have an award that specifically recognizes and celebrates the contributions of songwriters and music publishers to Gold and Platinum certified songs,” said Margaret McGuffin, CEO of Music Publishers Canada.

“Gold and Platinum Awards are recognized world-wide as markers of commercial success for artists and their teams – whether the artist has just released their first hit, or if they are a global superstar creating the songs that define a generation. We are thrilled to extend our Gold and Platinum Program so that it recognizes the close creative working relationship between songwriters and performing artists and their teams,” said Patrick Rogers, CEO of Music Canada. “Canada’s music industry is a dynamic and competitive marketplace, built on creativity and collaboration. And just as Canada’s major labels partner with music publishers to support artists’ creative and commercial goals, this award marks a new level of partnership between our associations.”

The first award was presented last week during JUNO Week to Serena Ryder, in recognition of her songwriting contributions to her Platinum-certified song “Weak In The Knees.” The award was presented by ArtHaus Music and Music Publishers Canada, ahead of Ryder’s performance at the JUNO Songwriters’ Circle.

As well, Soran, and his music publisher, Éditorial Avenue, were recognized with a plaque in a virtual presentation for their contributions to Johnny Orlando’s “Everybody Wants You,” a certified Gold Single.

“As both a publisher and songwriter, I am very excited to see the launch of an award that recognizes the impact of both of these roles on creating songs that resonate with music fans” said Vincent Degiorgio, President of CYMBA Music Publishing and Chair of the Music Publishers Canada Board of Directors.

Music Publishers Canada members who hold publishing rights to songs contained in a Gold/Platinum certified recording are now eligible to order the new Award plaque for themselves, their sub-publishing partners as well as the credited songwriters who they represent in Canada.

-30-

Erica Meekes
Music Canada
emeekes@musiccanada.com
(416) 462-1485

Margaret McGuffin
Music Publishers Canada
info@musicpublishing.ca
(647) 405-1261

About Music Publishers Canada
Music Publishers Canada is a non-profit membership-based organization whose mission is to create business opportunities for our members and to promote their interests and those of their song writing partners through advocacy, communication, and education.

About Music Canada
Music Canada is a non-profit trade organization that represents the major record companies in Canada: Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada. Music Canada also works with some of the leading independent record labels and distributors, recording studios, live music venues, concert promoters, managers and artists in the promotion and development of the music cluster.

Categories: Gold/Platinum, News Release
Tags: Gold/Platinum, Music Publishers Canada, Songwriting and Music Publishing Award

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Chris Buck Band presented with first Canadian Gold plaque

Posted September 8, 2021 by Bram Gonshor

Canadian country rockers Chris Buck Band were presented with their first Canadian Gold Single Award plaque by Royalty Records in Lake Country, BC for hit “That’s When You Know,” which also features Canadian country artist Kira Isabella. The 2017 track was included on the band’s debut self-titled album, and was nominated for Video of the Year at the 2017 CCMA Awards.

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A post shared by Gold/Platinum Canada (@goldplatinumcanada)

In a video posted to their social media, Chris shared his reaction to receiving the band’s first Gold plaque.

Sooo excited to be able to finally announce ‘That’s When You Know’ has officially gone GOLD!!! I am so beyond grateful. To all the fans, your support & sharing your stories of how this song has touched your lives truly means the world to me. 🎵 https://t.co/grZkHV2ZyJ pic.twitter.com/DhRF9b1uyW
— Chris Buck (@ChrisBuckBand) September 7, 2021

Chris Buck Band will play the upcoming Celebrate Culture concert this weekend in Fort Saskatchewan, AB along with Reuben and the Dark and Chubby Cree. Watch the music video for “That’s When You Know” below.

Categories: Gold/Platinum
Tags: Chris Buck Band, Gold, Gold/Platinum, Kira Isabella, Single Award

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Eric Ethridge surprised with first Canadian Gold plaque

Posted January 14, 2021 by Bram Gonshor

Over the 2020 holidays, Sarnia, ON born country singer Eric Ethridge received his first Canadian Gold award plaque commemorating his singles “California” and “If You Met Me First.” In a video posted on his Instagram, the Nashville-based Anthem Entertainment artist and wife, artist Kalsey Kulyk, unbox the custom award plaque, and thank their label teams, family, and fans for the support of these singles since their release back in 2018.

With their 2020 tour schedules cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple sold all their possessions, built a state-of-the-art camper van, and began their socially-distanced Love On The Road tour across Canada performing to audiences from the rooftop.

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A post shared by Eric Ethridge (@ericethridgemusic)

🏆2 x GOLD 🏆 Congratulations to @EricEthridge whose singles #California + #IfYouMetMeFirst were both certified Gold 👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/QIOkz6ajMQ
— theCMAOntario (@theCMAOntario) January 3, 2021

Watch the music video for “If You Met Me First” below.

Categories: Gold/Platinum
Tags: Anthem, Country Music, Eric Ethrdige, Gold, Gold/Platinum, Single Award

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Brett Kissel reveals first Platinum certification at Edmonton drive-in concert

Posted June 18, 2020 by Bram Gonshor

Brett Kissel announcing the Platinum certification of “Airwaves” at Edmonton drive-in concert (Photo Credit: Warner Music Canada)

Over the weekend, Canadian country star Brett Kissel performed 8 sold-out drive-in concerts in the parking lot of Enoch, Alberta’s River Cree Resort and Casino, with all proceeds benefiting Food Bands Alberta via the Safeway Community Action Fund. With strict social distancing measures in place, Kissel made good on his commitment to “having one hell of a good time together, while apart!”

During one of his shows on Saturday, June 13, Kissel announced to his fans that “Airwaves” had now been officially certified Platinum in Canada. Fans celebrated with a chorus of car honks before launching into the hit single. Video of the announcement was captured by fans below.

During his incredible run of 8 drive-in concerts in Edmonton over the weekend, @BrettKissel’s hit “Airwaves” was officially announced Platinum in Canada! #BKDriveIn
💿🍁
🎥: @KisselKrew pic.twitter.com/n8hhNhwVgE
— Gold/Platinum Canada (@GoldPlatCA) June 15, 2020

“Airwaves,” from 2015 album Pick Me Up, is Brett Kissel’s first Platinum certification in Canada. In 2016, it became the first song to be officially certified under the Single Award guidelines, which allowed for on-demand audio streams to be included in the certification criteria.

Kissel will continue his run of drive-in concerts in Regina, SK this Saturday, and in Saskatoon on Saturday, June 27.

Watch the video for “Airwaves” below.

Categories: Gold/Platinum, Uncategorized
Tags: Brett Kissel, COVID-19, Drive-In, Edmonton, Gold/Platinum, Platinum, Single Award

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Aaron Goodvin surprised with virtual Gold record

Posted April 23, 2020 by Bram Gonshor

Canadian country star Aaron Goodvin thought he was joining a standard Zoom meeting with his team at Warner Music Canada last week. With the help of his wife Victoria, the 2020 JUNO nominee and 2018 CCMA Songwriter of the Year Award winner was surprised with a virtual Gold award presentation for his single “You Are,” and it was all captured for his fans in a recording posted on the artist’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.

“You Are” is Goodvin’s second Gold Single in Canada, joining hit “Lonely Drum” which was certified Platinum one year ago to the date.

Warner promises they will present Goodvin with a physical plaque when they are able to. Speaking with CTV News, the Alberta-born singer-songwriter doesn’t mind a bit, noting a Gold record is still a dream come true and “it’s all bonus.”

Watch the music video for “You Are” below.

Categories: Gold/Platinum
Tags: Aaron Goodvin, COVID-19, Gold, Gold/Platinum, Single Award, Warner Music Canada, Zoom

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The Lumineers presented with Gold plaques in Toronto

Posted March 11, 2020 by Bram Gonshor

Top row (L to R): Dan Hawie (Dualtone Canada), Byron Isaacs (Band), Jeremiah Fraites (Band), Lauren Jacobson (Band), Stelth Ulvang (Band), Cristina Fernandes (Listen Harder PR), David Tysowski (Canvas Media) Bottom row (L to R): Christina Fitzgerald (eOne Canada), Brandon Miller (Band), Wesley Schultz (Band), Chris Moncada (GM, eOne Canada) Photo Credit: Auston Roa

Folk rock band The Lumineers returned to Canada last week on the first leg of their 2020 World Tour, beginning with two sold out nights at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena before making their way to Montreal’s Bell Centre and Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre. Prior to their set in Toronto, the Denver-based New Jersey natives were surprised with Gold award plaques from eOne/Dualtone for their 2019 album III, their ambitious cinematic third album presented across three chapters. The Gold-certified album also features the Gold hit “Gloria.”

The band are no strangers to Canadian certifications. Since the release of their debut 4x Platinum self-titled album in 2012, the band has amassed 10 Gold singles in Canada, with their breakthrough hit “Hey Ho” earning a Diamond certification in 2019.

The Lumineers will return to Canada in September for a run of shows through Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg.

Watch the music video for their latest certified hit “Gloria” below.

Categories: Gold/Platinum
Tags: Gold, Gold/Platinum, III, The Lumineers

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JP Saxe receives first Canadian Platinum plaque in hometown

Posted February 3, 2020 by Bram Gonshor

Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter JP Saxe returned to his hometown of Toronto last week for a sold out show at The Drake Underground. Prior to the show, JP was surprised with a Canadian Platinum plaque by Sony Music Canada for his breakthrough hit “If The World Was Ending,” his collaboration with multi-Platinum artist Julia Michaels.

JP shared the news with his fans on his social media channels with a photo of the couple, who initially met while writing the hit track, posing with the plaque.

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the song baby went platinum in canada ❄️🇨🇦 @juliamichaels
A post shared by JP Saxe (@jpsaxe) on Jan 31, 2020 at 9:31am PST

Watch the music video for the FINNEAS-produced track below.

Categories: Gold/Platinum
Tags: Gold/Platinum, JP Saxe, Julia Michaels, Platinum, Single Award, Sony Music Canada

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2019 Gold/Platinum Year-End Recap

Posted December 16, 2019 by Bram Gonshor

Left to Right: Felix Cartal, Lights, Tyler Shaw, Grandson

2019 has proven to be another spectacular year for Music Canada’s historic Gold/Platinum program. For the fourth consecutive year, the program has experienced a steady surge in Single Award certifications thanks to Canada’s continued shift towards on-demand audio streaming, which in 2018 accounted for 60% of recorded music revenues in Canada.

In 2019, Single Award certifications increased 33% from 2018’s total, with a 38% increase in tracks receiving their first Canadian Gold certifications (40,000 units). Music Canada began accepting on-demand subscription service streams with the introduction of the Single Award in September 2016, and has since experienced a 177% increase in new tracks receiving their first Canadian certifications.

11 singles received Diamond certifications (800,000 units) this year, surpassing 2018’s total. “Old Town Road,” the breakthrough hit by American crossover star Lil Nas X, was the only single released in 2019 to receive the top certification. Post Malone, who received the most certifications of any artist in 2019, followed this with the 2019 single “Wow.” at 7x Platinum, while Billie Eilish‘s hit “bad guy” received the third highest for a 2019 release at 6x Platinum.

Toronto-born rapper Drake‘s hit “God’s Plan,” which received the highest certification in 2018 for a Canadian artist at 8x Platinum, joins The Weeknd‘s “Starboy” and Loud Luxury‘s “Body (ft. Brando)” as the highest certifications for Canadian artists in 2019, each receiving a Diamond certification for their respective tracks. The Weeknd also received the highest album certification for a Canadian artist with the 5x Platinum certifications of 2015’s Beauty Behind The Madness and 2016’s Starboy. Khalid‘s Free Spirit, Post Malone’s Hollywood’s Bleeding, and Billie Eilish’s WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? were the top certified albums released in 2019, each earning a Double Platinum (160,000 units) certification.

Several Canadian artists received their first Single Award certifications including Loud, Arcade Fire, Jade Eagleson, Craig Cardiff, The Dead South, Ali Gatie, Lucky Rose, Death From Above 1979, Frank Walker, Hunter Brothers, Patrick Watson, and The Barr Brothers.

All singles receiving their first #GoldinCanada certifications in 2019 have been compiled into a playlist on Spotify and Apple Music available to stream below.

Categories: Gold/Platinum
Tags: 2019, Diamond, Gold, Gold/Platinum, Platinum, Year-End Recap

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