No matter how you look at it, Trooper belongs in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Whether it's based on longevity, overall contributions to our rich cultural mosaic, or perhaps the fact they are one of Canada's top five selling bands of all-time, Trooper are noticeably absent from the list of esteemed artists that have been inducted and are simply long overdue.

Sure, there are a number of 'automatic' entries of great Canadian musical acts that have more than earned their spot.

The likes of which includes Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young, Paul Anka, Joni Mitchell, The Guess Who and Rush, to name a few.

But while other Canadian artists such as April Wine, Loverboy, Triumph and even the Tragically Hip have already been awarded their place of distinction in the Hall, Trooper remains left out - thus far.

It's a glaring omission that has become somewhat of a rallying cry for a number of us within local broadcast circles who have not only spun the Vancouver band's timeless radio classics over the years, but also value their contributions to Canada's heritage.

"I'm still as surprised as anyone who finds out Trooper is not in the Hall of Fame", says AM650 morning host and veteran Canadian broadcaster Stirling Faux.

As long-time Vancouver music writer Tom Harrison pointed out recently, "It's a no-brainer." And one that has many scratching their heads to understand.

Since their first appearance on the charts in 1975 with Baby Woncha Please Come Home. Trooper has literally done it all.

Through a tireless touring schedule over more than three decades, the West Coast rockers have duly earned the distinction of being 'Canada's Party Band,' while contributing a string of radio staples that includes Raise a Little Hell, We're Here for a Good Time, Two for the Show and The Boys in the Bright White Sports Car, among others.

Trooper won the 1979 Juno Award for Group of the Year, while their landmark Greatest Hits album, Hot Shots, broke sales records for a Canadian album reaching quadruple platinum status and becoming the first in our country's history to sell 500,000 copies.

Based on this year's induction of Blue Rodeo, the continued exclusion of Trooper into the Hall becomes even more apparent.

As such, it would appear that the Toronto-based Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which oversees the Hall, needs to be reminded of their own criteria for induction: to recognize Canadian artists that have attained commercial success while having a positive impact on the Canadian music scene here at home and around the world.

That description pretty much sums up Trooper.

"That's why this campaign is underway," adds Faux.

"A few of us radio people who've been playing Trooper music for decades just decided to right an obvious wrong. We can't do this without a lot of help so tell all your friends to sign the petition."

If you feel as we do that CARAS needs to give our much-beloved rockers their place of honour in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, you can add your name to the petition here.