For powerful perspectives on the future of Canada!
Balsillie Prize for Public Policy
Highlights
Prize
Winner $70,000
Finalists $7,500
Winner Announcement
November 25, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Devon Jackson, Senior Program Manager
djackson@writerstrust.com
About the Prize
The Balsillie Prize for Public Policy is awarded annually for a book of nonfiction that advances and influences policy debates on a wide range of social, political, economic, or cultural topics relevant to Canadians. The prize celebrates excellence in quality of thought and style and underlines the important role books play in advancing public discourse and bringing new ideas to Canadian policymakers.
The selected books will combine new insights with impressive research, offering thought-provoking contributions to debates on issues that impact both public consciousness and Canadian policymakers. The Balsillie Prize especially values bold works that bring public policy issues to the general reading public.
This year marks the 5th anniversary of the award, which is funded by the Balsillie Family Foundation as part of a $3 million commitment to supporting Canadian literature through Writers’ Trust. In recognition of the anniversary, the prize purse has been increased from $60,000 to $70,000 to the winner, and $5,000 to $7,500 to each finalist (co-authors to evenly divide prize monies), for a total of $92,500 awarded annually.
2025 Finalists
The Big Fix: How Companies Capture Markets and Harm Canadians
Denise Hearn
Vass Bednar
Sutherland House Books
And Sometimes They Kill You: Confronting the Epidemic of Intimate Partner Violence
Pamela Cross
Between the Lines
Irrational Publics and the Fate of Democracy
Stephen J.A. Ward
McGill-Queen’s University Press
Jury
A jury composed of author and physician Samantha Nutt, policy expert Taki Sarantakis, and digital strategist Scott Young selected this year’s finalists from 58 titles representing 35 Canadian publishing imprints. The winner will be revealed on November 25 at a live event in Toronto.
Samantha Nutt
See Bio
Taki Sarantakis
See Bio
Scott Young
See Bio
“For Canadians, By Canadians” — The Balsillie Prize for Public Policy
These books provide new and thoughtful ideas for a better future for all Canadians. My hope is the shortlist will inspire discussions and debate at home and in policy communities that ultimately contribute to the development of smart public policy for our country.
Jim Balsillie, Prize Sponsor
Jim Balsillie’s investment in Canadian writers and his commitment to the power and influence of books is extraordinary. The Balsillie Prize is a tremendous opportunity to bring greater attention to the important conversations Canadians — and Canadian writers — are having about creating a stronger and more inclusive country.
Catherine Clark, Past Writers’ Trust Chair
Sponsor
The Balsillie Prize for Public Policy is funded by the Balsillie Family Foundation as part of a $3 million commitment to supporting Canadian literature through Writers’ Trust.