Canada has a long tradition of essay writing contests that encourage literary creativity and critical thinking skills among students and the general public. Writing contests are held annually across the country on various topics covering the arts, current affairs, history, science and more. They provide an opportunity for participants to explore an issue or subject through creative non-fiction and compete for recognition and prizes. Here we examine some of the major national and provincial essay writing contests in Canada.
Prominent national essay contests include the Governor General’s Literary Awards which are administered by the Canada Council for the Arts. The Governor General’s Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in Canadian creative non-fiction since 1937. In the non-fiction category, gold medal winners receive $25,000 while silver winners receive $15,000. Some notable past winners of the Governor General’s Award for non-fiction include Linda Leith’s A Year in the Life of a Complete and Utter Failure, Naomi Klein’s No Logo and Tanya Talaga’s Seven Fallen Feathers. This prestigious award showcases some of the finest long-form writing from across the country.
Another prominent annual competition is the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing which awards $25,000 to the author of the best non-fiction book on Canadian politics and public policy published in the previous year. Administered by McGill-Queen’s University Press, past winners have examined topics like Indigenous rights, healthcare, climate change and western separatism. Some prize laureates include Lawrence Martin for Harperland, P.J. Partington for A Dagger in the Library and Greg Donaghy for Spies in Paradise. The prize aims to promote informed discussion on issues shaping Canadian democracy.
For students, a notable essay contest is the CanWrite National Writing Competition organized by the Writers’ Trust of Canada. Undergraduate and graduate students can enter short stories, poetry or non-fiction in English or French for a chance to win cash prizes up to $2,000. Past winners have tackled diverse topics like the legacy of Olympic protests, human impacts on freshwater systems and exploring cultural identity. The contest stimulates thoughtful dialogue on current events and social issues among emerging writers.
At the provincial level, various government bodies hold annual competitions. In Ontario, the Ministry of Education runs the Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching which includes categories for students to submit essays, artwork or videos on topics that inspire learning. Winners receive trophies and up to $1,000 in scholarships selected by a panel of educators. In Quebec, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec manages Les Prix du Québec which includes the Amelia-Jean-Burroughs Award recognizing the best original text written in French in various creative non-fiction genres.
Saskatchewan’s Student Essay Competition is coordinated by the Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society. Participants in grades 7-12 can submit compositions on topics concerning provincial history, culture or heritage to compete for cash prizes of up to $500. Similarly, Manitoba’s Minister’s Media Awards invite youth to craft written, photographic or multimedia projects depicting the province’s landscape, communities and people for recognition and bursaries. These intra-provincial competitions cultivate local perspectives and appreciation for regional identity.
At the municipal level, some of Canada’s largest cities also sponsor essay contests. For example, the City of Toronto Public Library holds an annual Writing Contest calling on residents to submit short stories, memoirs or articles addressing themes of community building and civic participation. Similarly, Montreal’s Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec manages Concours d’écriture jeunesse inviting creative non-fiction, fiction and poetry from the Francophone youth of Montreal on diverse inspirational themes. Winners receive book prizes and recognition promoting young talent.
Overall, Canada has a deeply rooted culture of encouraging literary exploration and informed civic discourse through non-fiction essay writing competitions. From national awards spotlighting outstanding achievement to student prizes stimulating new voices, contests at various levels invite engagement on important issues and cultivation of communication skills through creative non-fiction. While formats and topics may vary, common goals include recognizing creative expression, fostering nuanced discussions and helping emerging writers hone their craft. As vehicles for reflection and social exchange, essay competitions continue to be enriching traditions within Canadian educational and cultural landscapes. Participation offers both personal growth and contributions to public conversations on subjects defining the nation.