Go to main content

2019 CBC NONFICTION PRIZE FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Tweet This Release: https://bit.ly/2kQQ7cl

MONTREAL, September 18, 2019CBC BOOKS, CBC’s online home for literary content, together with its partners the Canada Council for the Arts and Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, today announced the finalists for the 2019 CBC Nonfiction Prize.

They are:

Jenny Boychuk of Victoria, for Slow Violence

Larry Gibbs of King, Ontario, for The Boondock Harvest 1966

Kathleen May de Vries of Huntsville, Ontario, for The Long Driveway

Tracey McGillivray of Toronto, for To the Uninitiated

Emily Stillwell of Toronto, for The Birthday Party

Their stories were selected from more than 2200 entries received from across the country. As of today, the public can read the shortlisted stories on CBCBooks.ca.

The jurors for this year’s CBC Nonfiction Prize are Harold R. Johnson , Elizabeth Renzetti and Mark Sakamoto . The winner of this year’s prize will be announced on September 25, 2019.

In addition to a cash prize of $6000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Grand Prize winner will receive a two-week writing residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and will be published on the CBC Books website. The four other finalists will each receive $1000 from the Canada Council for the Arts and will be published on CBC Books.

The French-language Prix du récit finalists were also announced this morning. More information about those finalists can be found at ICI.Radio-canada.ca/icionlit under the “Prix du récit Radio-Canada” tab.

For more information on the CBC Literary Prizes, please visit CBCBooks.ca .

-30-

About CBC Books

Home to Canada Reads, Writers & Company with Eleanor Wachtel, The Next Chapter with Shelagh Rogers, Canada Writes and the CBC Literary Prizes, CBC Books connects Canadians with books, encouraging a shared love of reading and writing. For book news, writing challenges, reading lists, book recommendations and more, visit www.CBCbooks.ca.

 

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic and Chinese, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.

 

About Canada Council for the Arts

The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s public arts funder, with a mandate to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts. The Council champions and invests in artistic excellence through a broad range of grants, services, prizes and payments to professional Canadian artists and arts organizations. Its work ensures that excellent, vibrant and diverse art and literature engages Canadians, enriches their communities and reaches markets around the world. The Council also raises public awareness and appreciation of the arts through its communications, research and arts promotion activities. It is responsible for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO , which promotes the values and programs of UNESCO in Canada to contribute to a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable future. The Council’s Public Lending Right (PLR) Program sends yearly payments to creators whose works are in Canada’s public libraries. The Canada Council Art Bank operates art rental programs and helps further public engagement with contemporary arts.

 

About Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

Founded in 1933, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is a learning organization built upon an extraordinary legacy of excellence in artistic and creative development. What started as a single course in drama has grown to become the global organization leading in arts, culture, and creativity across dozens of disciplines. From our home in the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus – artists, leaders, and thinkers – to unleash their creative potential and realize their unique contribution to society through cross-disciplinary learning opportunities, world-class performances, and public outreach.

 

For further information, contact:

Frances Bedford

CBC Communications

frances.bedford@cbc.ca

416-205-7673

 

Diane Hargrave

Diane Hargrave Public Relations

dhprbks@interlog.com

416-467-9954

Discover

March 25th at 15:00

New to CBC Gem in April

Highlights of programs new to CBC Gem this April include CBC’s great Canadian book debate, Canada Reads, returning for its 25th edition from April 13 through April 16; new two-part CBC original POV documentary Speechless (April 14); and new CBC original series Must Love Dogs (April 20, pictured). 
February 20th at 12:20

New to CBC Gem in March 2026

March on CBC Gem includes coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games from March 6–15; new original CBC docuseries Cirque Life (March 19, also on CBC TV); The 55th Annual JUNO Awards (live on March 29) hosted by Mae Martin; and the Spotlight on Canadian Film Collection, including CBC Films' titles such as D.W. Waterson's Backspot (pictured). 
February 17th at 5:45

CBC Greenlights Six Original Kids Series

CBC today announced the greenlight of six new and returning original kids series from Canadian creators and producers, reinforcing the national public broadcaster’s commitment to serve children and families with homegrown storytelling that inspires, entertains and informs. 
February 9th at 10:32

Just for Laughs, NorthWest Comedy & CBC Announce Production of CBC Gem Original Series THE NEW WAVE OF STANDUP Season 7

Make ‘em laugh… The New Wave of Standup Season 7 brings together another incredible array of 14 comedians from across the country. The live show taping returns to the iconic Gastown establishment, Guilt & Co. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. 
January 26th at 12:50

Dragons’ Den Full Circle finale event to close milestone Season 20, airing February 26 and March 5 on CBC and CBC Gem

CBC’s hit series Dragons’ Den will mark its milestone 20th season with a two-episode, Full Circle finale event on Thursday, February 26 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) and Thursday, March 5 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC and the free CBC Gem streaming service.