Writers' Trust of Canada
Donate

Rewarding the best Canadian political writing

Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing

Highlights

GuidelinesPrize History

Prize

Winner: $40,000
Finalists: $5000

2026 Submissions Now Open

Deadline 1: Sep 10, 2025
Deadline 2: Nov 5, 2025
Deadline 3: Jan 7, 2026

Questions? Please contact:

Devon Jackson, Associate Program Director
djackson@writerstrust.com

Gala Event

Learn more about Politics and the Pen

About the Prize

Established in honour of the outspoken and popular MP from Windsor, Ontario, the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing is awarded annually for an exceptional book of literary nonfiction that captures a political subject of relevance to Canadian readers. Sponsored by CN, the prize is awarded annually at the Politics and the Pen gala in Ottawa. In recognition of its 25th anniversary, the annual award has been increased from $25,000 to $40,000. Contributions to shortlisted finalists have also increased, from $2,500 to $5,000 to each author.

2025 Winner

Raymond B. Blake

Canada’s Prime Ministers and the Shaping of a National Identity 

UBC Press

Jury Citation

“What does it mean to be a Canadian? Prime ministers have answered that question with slogans and speeches designed to get us through challenging chapters in our history. Raymond B. Blake’s comprehensive and compelling analysis of prime ministerial storytelling in the post-war era is remarkably well-timed for this anxious geopolitical moment. This engaging book brings a unique perspective to the question of how leaders leave their imprint on a nation.” —2025 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize jury (Jennifer Ditchburn, Sara Mojtehedzadeh, and Christopher Waddell)

2025 Finalists

Jury

A jury composed of Jennifer Ditchburn, Sara Mojtehedzadeh, and Christopher Waddell read 34 books submitted by 22 publishing imprints to select finalists.

My affiliation with Writers’ Trust has connected me to a national network of writers and thinkers, and to politicians and policy makers. The generous prize will be used to support the research and writing of my next book.

— Rachel Giese

2018 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing winner

Sponsor

CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. As the only railroad connecting Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the US South through a 18,800-mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship.