Canada Reads kicked off
CBC began live Canada Reads 2026 coverage on April 13 at 10:05 a.m. ET and tracked the first day's elimination in real time. (cbc.ca)
Canada Reads opened its 25th edition on April 13, with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation starting live debate coverage at 10:05 a.m. Eastern and setting up the first elimination of the week. (cbc.ca) The 2026 debates run from April 13 to April 16, with five celebrity champions each defending one Canadian book and voting one title off each day until a winner remains. Ali Hassan is hosting the four-day event. (cbc.ca) This year’s five contenders are *A Minor Chorus* by Billy-Ray Belcourt, *Searching for Terry Punchout* by Tyler Hellard, *The Cure for Drowning* by Loghan Paylor, *Foe* by Iain Reid and *It’s Different This Time* by Joss Richard. Their champions are Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Steve “Dangle” Glynn, Tegan Quin, Josh Dela Cruz and Morgann Book. (cbc.ca) Canada Reads works like a knockout tournament for books. Five panellists debate on air, then vote to eliminate one title each day until the last book standing is named the book all Canadians should read that year. (cbc.ca) The 2026 theme has been described two ways in Canadian Broadcasting Corporation coverage: the contender announcement and trailer framed it as a search for “one book to build bridges,” while the broadcaster’s April 9 guide said the show was looking for “one book to change the narrative.” Both descriptions pointed to books that connect readers across different lives and perspectives. (cbc.ca 1) (cbc.ca 2) The live page for Day One warned readers that it would include spoilers and said the debate could be watched on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation platforms and on YouTube. The broadcaster also said YouTube access would be available outside Canada. (cbc.ca 1) (cbc.ca 2) Canada Reads began in 2002 as a radio program and moved to live studio shows with audiences in 2010. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation says every winning book has become a national bestseller, and in recent years all five finalists have become bestsellers. (cbc.ca) The 2026 edition also marks Hassan’s 10th year as host. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation said the first winning book in 2002 was Michael Ondaatje’s *In the Skin of a Lion*, and last year’s winner was *A Two-Spirit Journey* by Ma-Nee Chacaby with Mary Louisa Plummer, championed by Shayla Stonechild. (cbc.ca) The format has stayed simple for a quarter-century: five books, four debate days and one daily vote. Day One set that process in motion again, with the first cut narrowing the field before the final decision on April 16. (cbc.ca 1) (cbc.ca 2)
