Giller Prize Ceremony Tonight in Toronto Celebrates Literary Excellence

The Giller Prize, Canada’s most prestigious award for fiction, will be presented tonight in Toronto. This highly anticipated ceremony marks the pinnacle of the Canadian book awards season, celebrating outstanding contributions to the literary landscape.

Five talented authors are competing for the top prize of $100,000. The finalists include Mona Awad, nominated for her captivating dark academia sequel, We Love You, Bunny. Eddy Boudel Tan is also in the running with his suspenseful family mystery, The Tiger and the Cosmonaut.

Finalists Showcase Diverse Narratives

Acclaimed author Emma Donoghue, known for her bestselling novel Room, is shortlisted for her latest work, The Paris Express. This story draws inspiration from a tragic railway disaster that occurred in 1895. Adding to the diverse range of narratives, debut novelist Emma Knight has been recognized for her novel The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus, which blends her culinary expertise with fiction.

Completing the shortlist is past Giller Prize winner Souvankham Thammavongsa, whose entry Pick a Colour offers a poignant character study of a nail technician navigating life’s complexities.

Celebration of Canadian Literature

The awards ceremony will be hosted by comedian and television personality Rick Mercer, who is known for his engaging storytelling and humor. The event will be recorded live to tape and broadcast on CBC at 21:00 local time, allowing viewers across the country to partake in the celebration.

This year’s Giller Prize highlights not only the quality of Canadian fiction but also the rich diversity of voices within the literary community. As authors and literary enthusiasts gather to honour their peers, the event promises to be a memorable occasion that elevates the status of Canadian literature on an international stage.

This report was first published on November 17, 2025, by The Canadian Press.