[2] Haig left high school after grade 9 and took a job repairing films at the Winnipeg distribution offices of MGM.
In 1956, he moved to Toronto and was hired by the CBC film department, splicing commercials into The Ed Sullivan Show.
After moving through the ranks and establishing a reputation as a superb editor, he left the CBC in 1962 and travelled to Europe, where he met Canadian producer/director Allan King.
The CBC contracted Film Arts to edit and/or co-produce segments for This Hour Has Seven Days and the fifth estate, and CTV did the same for W5.
The award recognizes creative vision and entrepreneurship, as reflected in the recipient's body of work, as well as a track record of mentoring emerging Canadian filmmakers.