Five authors are in contention for the 2026 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize, awarded for the best Canadian political book of the year. The shortlisted works tackle pressing issues including the influence of the oil industry, the challenges of homelessness, and the intricacies of Canadian politics.

Prize Shortlist Announced

The 2026 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize recognizes outstanding contributions to Canadian political literature. This year’s nominees offer diverse perspectives on Canadian society, ranging from the pervasive impact of the petroleum industry to the realities of homelessness and related policies.

Selection Process

A judging panel comprised of Norma Dunning, Chantal Hébert, and Paul Wells carefully reviewed 51 submissions to arrive at the final five. Their selection promises a stimulating discussion on vital national issues. The winner will be announced at the Politics and the Pen gala dinner in Ottawa on April 29th, hosted by the Writers’ Trust of Canada.

Exploring Canada's Oil Industry

Don Gillmor’s book provides an in-depth examination of oil’s profound impact on Canadian life, politics, and business. Gillmor traces the industry’s influence beyond the cost of gasoline.

A Personal and Historical Account

Drawing on his experiences in Alberta’s oil fields during the 1970s, Gillmor illuminates how deeply oil is embedded in daily life and shapes public policy. He meticulously documents the multi-billion-dollar industry, arguing that oil companies often mislead the public and divert attention from environmental concerns.

Gillmor suggests the current global energy crisis, intensified by international conflicts, may necessitate a sequel to further explore the evolving dynamics of the oil industry. He emphasizes the vulnerability of modern life to oil price fluctuations, impacting fuel costs, food prices, and manufactured goods, and the power to inflict hardship.

Life Within a Churchyard Encampment

Another nominated work offers a nuanced perspective on homelessness, focusing on life within a churchyard encampment. It highlights the mutual support and detrimental effects of policies that prioritize clearing encampments over addressing the root causes of homelessness.

Stories from the Encampment

The author was encouraged by encampment residents to share their stories, often overlooked by policymakers. The book portrays the encampment as a genuine community, fostering relationships and providing a space for healing.

The author stresses the importance of understanding the realities of homelessness, leveraging their unique position to communicate experiences inaccessible to most. The work is praised for its clear-eyed approach and its call for deeper understanding, underscoring the humanity of those experiencing homelessness and the mutual support found within the encampment.

The selection of these five books demonstrates a commitment to exploring complex and often uncomfortable truths about Canadian society and its challenges.