During the finale of Canada Reads 2018, Jeanne Beker, defending Forgiveness by Mark Sakamoto, got into a heated debate with fellow panellist Jully Black (who defended Cherie Dimaline's novel The Marrow Thieves, eliminated on Day Three) over how to ensure a better future for all in Canada.

Jully Black: "But there's healing, and then there's action after the healing. It's important that there is one book to open Canada's eyes around what is happening today."

Jeanne Beker: "We first need to focus on healing ourselves. There are a lot of screwed up people in the world."

Jully Black: "But there's also a lot of colonial privilege."

Jeanne Beker: "There are a lot of people who have to work on themselves."

Jully Black: "There are a lot of people who sit in their homes who don't have an experience like others...what are we doing to change the current circumstances?"