Canada Reads 2026 | Wood Buffalo Regional Library
What is Canada Reads? In short, and in CBC's own words, a literary Survivor. Five books, five champions, and one winner.
www.wbrl.caHere’s the latest on Canada Reads 2026.
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Canada Reads 2026 lineup and events: The 25th edition is underway in April 2026, featuring five Canadian books, each championed by a different public figure, with daily debates through April 16 and a final winner announced at the end of the run. Canada Reads is hosted by CBC, with live streams on CBC Gem, CBC YouTube, and CBC Listen, and in-person or community screenings across Canada.[3][4][7][8]
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Where to watch and participate: Debates air daily in mid-April (April 13–16, 2026) and are re-broadcast across CBC platforms. Viewers can watch live online for free via CBC Gem and YouTube, with replays available afterward; CBC Listen also provides live audio coverage and daily replays.[4][5][3]
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25th anniversary and celebration: 2026 marks the 25th edition of Canada Reads, emphasizing the power of storytelling to connect diverse Canadian voices; libraries and community organizations are hosting related events and book chats to celebrate the milestone.[2][8][10]
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How to catch up if you’re outside Canada: YouTube livestreams and CBC Gem typically offer access beyond Canada’s borders, though some streams may have geo-restrictions; options include CBC Books online coverage and CBC Listen for audio portions.[3][4]
Illustrative note: The official Canada Reads trailer and the January book reveal video highlight the five contenders and their champions, giving a sense of the themes and the debate format for 2026.[6][7]
If you’d like, I can pull the current champion lineup, the five books, and the debate schedule in a concise bullet list or a side-by-side comparison table to help you decide which sessions to watch. I can also provide direct links to the live streams and replays. Would you like me to compile that?