Celebrate Canada Reads 2025 in your community!
CBC Books | Posted: February 20, 2025 9:38 PM | Last Updated: March 11
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 YouTube, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC TV, CBC Listen and on CBC Books. Canada Reads airs at 10:05 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 cbcbooks@cbc.ca.
Alberta
Calgary Wordfest Wordfest presents Jamie Chai Yun Liew, Saïd M'Dahoma, Michelle Morgan & Emma Hooper
Join Canada Reads panelists Saïd M'Dahoma and Michelle Morgan in conversation with Dandelion author Jamie Chai Yun Liew and Etta and Otto and Russell and James author Emma Hooper 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
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.
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.
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
CBC's Canada Reads: Emma Hooper in Conversation with Michelle Morgan
CBC Vancouver's own Amy Bell will host Canada Reads panelist and West Vancouver local Michelle Morgan alongside Emma Hooper, author of Etta and Otto and Russell and James at the West Vancouver Public Library. Join them in the Welsh Hall at this free event for an interview and Q&A, with signed books and swag to be won!
Location: Welsh Hall, Vancouver West Public Library, 1950 Marine Dr, West Vancouver.
Date: March 11th at 6 p.m.
More Info: Register for the event here
Windowseat Books Canada Reads Watch Party!
Join us in-store to watch (or re-watch) the final debate. We'll provide light snacks and refreshments, but feel free to bring your favourite TV-watching treats.
Location: Windowseat Books, 6-321 Wesley Street, Nanaimo, B.C.
Date: March 20 at 6 p.m.
More Info: Event details
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
Canada Reads in Winnipeg: Celebrating A Two-Spirit Journey
In commemoration of A Two-Spirit Journey on Canada Reads, join a conversation between panelist Shayla Stonechild and the book's author Ma-Nee Chacaby alongside Mary Louisa Plummer. Registration is free for this event which includes a giveaway and light refreshments.
Location: Merchants Corner, 541 Selkirk Avenue, Winnipeg.
Date: Sunday, March 23 at 1:30 p.m.
More Info: Register for free at Eventbrite
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.
Instagram Live: Maggie Mac Neil and Samantha M. Bailey in Conversation
Get ready to ask Maggie and Samantha all your burning questions! Tune in as they chat Canada Reads and give away some swag.
Location: Instagram, @macnnagg + @sbaileybooks
Date: Tuesday, March 11 from 7 p.m.- 8 p.m
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.
CBC's Canada Reads Live Watch Party and Discussion at Ingersoll Public Library
The Ingersoll community is so excited to watch the Canada Reads finale together. Refreshments and giveaways will be available. Oxford County Library is also offering special book club sets of all five CBC Canada Reads 2025 titles in one bag. Available for 3 week loan periods. Contact an Oxford County Library branch to reserve a set.
Location: Ingersoll Public Library, 130 Oxford St, Ingersoll, Ont.
Date: Monday, March 17 to Thursday, March 20 at 10 a.m.
Callander Public Library Finale Watch Party
Light refreshments and prizes will be had at Callander Public's Canada Reads annual finale watch party! Swing by to see how the last day of debates plays out and who will be crowned 2025's champion.
Location: Callander Public Library, 30 Catherine Street West, Callander, Ont.
Date: Thursday, March 20 at 9:30 a.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.
Kirkland "Hooked On Books" Book Club
All Kirkland library members are welcome to join the Hooked On Books book club as they discuss all five Canada Reads contenders and vote for their favourite!
Location: Kirkland Municipal Library, 7100 Hymus Blvd., Kirkland, Que.
Date: Wednesday, March 19 at 2:00 p.m.
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.
WATCH | The Canada Reads 2025 contenders revealed on Commotion: