What Is 2019 Governor General's Awards

Overview

The 2019 Governor General's Awards celebrated outstanding contributions to Canadian culture and intellectual life, recognizing 14 exceptional individuals across literature, visual arts, and performing arts. Administered by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Governor General's office, these awards are among the most prestigious honors in the country.

Winners were announced in November and December 2019 following a rigorous selection process involving peer assessment committees. The awards highlight excellence in both English and French language categories, reflecting Canada’s bilingual heritage and diverse creative landscape.

• Fiction winner Esi Edugyan received the award for her novel 'Washington Black', a historical narrative exploring identity and freedom, marking her second win in this category.
• Non-fiction recipient Tanya Talaga was honored for 'Seven Fallen Feathers', a powerful investigation into the deaths of Indigenous youth in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
• Poetry award went to Canisia Lubrin for 'The Dyzgraphist', a genre-blending collection examining colonialism and diaspora with lyrical intensity and structural innovation.
• Drama category winner was Kristen Thomson for 'I, Claudia', a coming-of-age play that resonated with audiences for its emotional authenticity and narrative depth.
• Visual and Media Arts recipients included artist Rebecca Belmore, recognized for her powerful installations addressing Indigenous sovereignty and social justice.

How It Works

The Governor General's Awards follow a structured nomination and evaluation process managed by independent juries. Each category is assessed by a committee of experts who evaluate submissions based on artistic merit, originality, and cultural significance.

• Term: Winners are selected annually, though some categories operate on a two-year cycle. The 2019 awards covered submissions from the previous calendar year.
• Jury Selection: Independent peer committees composed of artists and scholars review all submissions, ensuring impartiality and professional judgment in the evaluation process.
• Eligibility: Works must be published in Canada or created by Canadian citizens or permanent residents, ensuring national relevance and cultural contribution.
• Language Tracks: Awards are presented separately in English and French, with distinct juries and winners for each linguistic category to support bilingualism.
• Prize Value: Each recipient receives a medal from the Governor General and a cash prize of $25,000, funded by the Canada Council for the Arts.
• Ceremony: The official investiture occurred on December 12, 2019, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, presided over by Governor General Julie Payette.

Comparison at a Glance

Award categories and recipients from 2019 illustrate the breadth of Canadian creative achievement across disciplines and languages.

The table highlights the diversity of recognized works, from literary fiction to multidisciplinary art. While literary awards are language-specific, visual and media arts span national and cultural boundaries, emphasizing Canada’s growing influence in global artistic discourse.

Why It Matters

The 2019 Governor General's Awards underscore the importance of supporting cultural expression and intellectual inquiry in Canada. By honoring artists and writers, the awards validate the role of creativity in shaping national identity and fostering dialogue.

• Promotes Canadian voices by spotlighting works that might otherwise receive limited international attention, especially in French-language literature.
• Encourages artistic risk-taking, as seen in Lubrin’s experimental poetry, which challenges traditional forms and themes.
• Amplifies Indigenous perspectives, with multiple winners like Talaga and Belmore addressing colonial legacies and systemic inequities.
• Strengthens cultural policy by demonstrating government commitment to the arts through public recognition and financial support.
• Boosts public engagement, as winning books often see significant increases in sales and academic discussion.
• Inspires emerging creators by showcasing excellence and providing role models across diverse artistic disciplines.

The 2019 awards not only celebrated individual achievement but also reinforced the value of the arts in Canadian society, ensuring that creative contributions remain central to national discourse.