Awarding the top Canadian nonfiction of the year

The Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction is given annually for excellence in the category of literary nonfiction, which includes essays, history, biography, memoir, commentary, and criticism. The winning book demonstrates a distinctive voice as well as a persuasive and compelling command of tone, narrative, style, and technique. This award has been sponsored by The Hon. Hilary M. Weston since 2011 and is now funded by The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation. Beginning in 2023, the prize purse has increased from $60,000 to $75,000.

Writers' Trust of Canada deeply mourns the passing of The Hon. Hilary M. Weston C.M., C.V.O., O.Ont. on August 2, 2025. Mrs. Weston and the Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation have been staunch supporters of Writers’ Trust since 2011. We are honoured that her legacy will live on through the presentation of her namesake prizes, including the Weston International Award on September 15, and the Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction on November 13.