Celebrate Canada Reads 2025 in your community!
Events in libraries, bookstores and more are taking place across Canada
If you're looking for a way to participate in Canada Reads, we've got you covered. Below is a roundup of community events taking place through March to discuss, celebrate and listen to the Canada Reads 2025 debates. All times are local.
The 2025 contenders are:
- Olympic gold medallist Maggie Mac Neil champions Watch Out for Her by Samantha M. Bailey
- Podcaster and wellness advocate Shayla Stonechild champions A Two-Spirit Journey by Ma-Nee Chacaby, with Mary Louisa Plummer
- Heartland actor Michelle Morgan champions Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper
- Thriller writer Linwood Barclay champions Jennie's Boy by Wayne Johnston
- Pastry chef Saïd M'Dahoma champions Dandelion by Jamie Chai Yun Liew
Canada Reads 2025 will be hosted by Ali Hassan and takes place from March 17-20, 2025.
The debates will be broadcast on CBC Radio One, CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Listen and on CBC Books. Canada Reads airs at 10 a.m. ET (11 a.m. AT, 1:30 p.m. NT) on CBC Radio One and 1 p.m. ET (2 p.m. AT, 2:30 p.m. NT) on CBC TV. You can tune in live or catch a replay on the platform of your choice.
Keep an eye on this page for details on more events to come! If there are any public events related to Canada Reads that you think we left out, let us know by emailing [email protected].
| Alberta | British Columbia | | Manitoba | Ontario | Quebec
Alberta
Calgary Wordfest Wordfest presents Jamie Chai Yun Liew & Saïd M'Dahoma
Join Canada Reads 2025 contender Saïd M'Dahoma with conversation with Dandelion author Jamie Chai Yun Liew at Wordfest Calgary's Canada Reads celebration. Tickets include access to an audience Q&A and book signing.
Location: Memorial Park Library, 2nd floor, 1221 2 St SW, Calgary.
Date: March 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $25
More info: Buy tickets and check out Calgary Wordfest's website for details
St. Albert Reads
Join 5 local St. Albert celebrities as they take up the Canada Reads 2025 debate!
Location: Forsyth Hall, St. Albert Public Library, 5 St. Anne Street, St. Albert, Alta.
Date: March 14 at 7 p.m.
More Info: Register for this free event on the St. Albert Library website
Pigeon Lake Public Library Book Club
Pick your favourite Canada Reads book and join the Pigeon Lake Public Library book club discussion!
Location: Pigeon Lake Public Library, 603-2 Ave., Ma-Me-O Beach, Alta.
Date: March 14 at 4 p.m.
More Info: Keep an eye on the library's event page for details
British Columbia
Vancouver Writers Fest presents Canada Reads with Jamie Chai Yun Liew and Saïd M'Dahoma
Join Canada Reads panellist Saïd M'Dahoma in conversation with Dandelion author Jamie Chai Yun Liew at Vancouver's 2025 Writers Festival!
Location: The Revue Stage, 1601 Johnston St., Vancouver.
Date: March 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $27
More Info: Buy tickets and learn more about Vancouver Writers Fest here
Manitoba
UM Reads
The University of Manitoba and its Press are thrilled to celebrate and cheer on author Ma-Nee Chacaby's book A Two-Spirit Journey at their week-long Canada Reads watch party! Debates will be screened daily in the Fireside Lounge with free coffee and raffle prizes.
Location: 65 Chancellors Cir 3rd floor, Winnipeg.
Date: March 17-20 at 12:00 p.m.
More Info: Check out UM's blog for all the details
Ontario
Temagami Public Library Book Club
Read and champion your favourite Canada Reads selection with the Temagami Library book club! Cast your vote and see how it compares with this year's winning title.
Location: Temagami Public Library, 7 Lakeshore Dr., Temagami, Ont.
Date: March 6 at 6:00 p.m.
More Info: Find details at the library website, Facebook or Instagram
Wordstock Sudbury Literary Festival
Join CBC Sudbury's own Jonathan Pinto as he hosts Wordstock's annual Sudbury Reads event! Watch five panelists defend their chosen Canada Reads shortlist pick with audience giveaways to be won.
Location: Main Branch Public Library, 74 Mackenzie St., Sudbury, Ont.
Date: March 15 at 1 p.m.
Quebec
Canada Reads…and so does Lennoxville!
Join five local panellists in person or online as they defend the five Canada Reads 2025 selections in what's sure to be a lively discussion and debate.
Location: Hope Community Church, 102 Queen St., Sherbrooke, Que.
Date: March 12 at 7 p.m.
More Info: Find details and a zoom link on the Lennoxville Library website
Côte Saint-Luc Reads
Five Côte Saint-Luc librarians will battle it out to defend their chosen Canada Reads 2025 selections at this in-person and virtual event! Join them for light refreshments and a prize raffle.
Location: Harold Greenspon Auditorium, Côte Saint-Luc Library, 5851 boul. Cavendish., Côte Saint-Luc, Que.
Date: Wednesday March 26 at 2:00 p.m.
More Info: Find a Zoom link and details at the Cote Saint-Luc library website
WATCH | The Canada Reads 2025 contenders revealed on Commotion:
