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Canadian Music Awards and Honours

There are various ways the Canadian music industry awards and honours its very best. From “Canada’s version of the Grammys,” the JUNO Awards to more regional award shows like the East Coast Music Awards, there’s no shortage of celebrations for great Canadian music and creativity.

It’s important to note that each organization has a unique process for being considered for nomination (or performing at their ceremonies). Whether it’s a specific amount of sales, or residence in a specific province, you’ll usually be able to find the details on their websites. Be sure keep an eye on deadlines since some of them have short submission periods.

We’ll do our best to provide the most complete and up to date listing of Canadian awards and honours below.

“Being named Songwriter of the Year at the JUNOS is the highest accolade there is for a Canadian music creator. SOCAN is honoured to sponsor and present this coveted award.”

Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS)

Breakout West / Western Canadian Music Awards

Where: Saskatoon, SK | When: Sept. 24-29, 2024

Breakout West features an immersive music industry and artist development conference, and a festival with 50+ artists performing across multiple venues. The festival highlights Western Canadian talent alongside select International and Pan-Canadian artists.

BreakOutWest.ca | Instagram


Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF)

The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) honours and celebrates Canadian songwriters and those who have dedicated their lives to the legacy of music, and works to educate the public about these achievements. National and non-profit, the CSHF is guided by its own board of directors who comprise both Anglophone and Francophone music creators and publishers, as well as representation from the record industry. In December 2011, SOCAN (the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) acquired the CSHF. The Hall of Fame’s mandate aligns with SOCAN’s objectives as a songwriter and publisher membership-based organization. The CSHF continues to be run as a separate organization.

CSHF.ca | Instagram


East Coast Music Awards: Festival and Conference

Where: Charlottetown, PE | When: May 1-5, 2018

The ECMA (East Coast Music Association) annually produces the ECMAs, one of the top music industry events in Canada, which includes Awards, a Festival, an Industry Conference and the International Export Buyers Program.

ECMA.com | Instagram


Félix Awards / Gala ADISQ

The Félix Award is an award, given by the Association du disque, de l’industrie du spectacle québécois (Québec Association for the Recording, Concert and Video Industries) on an annual basis to artists working in the music and humor industry in the Canadian province of Quebec.

The first Félix awards were presented on September 23, 1979. The idea belonged to the first president of ADISQ, Gilles Talbot. The award trophy was created by Marc-André Parisé. The awards are named in honour of Quebec songwriter Félix Leclerc.

In contrast to the Juno Awards, whose nominations are based on record sales, nominations and winners of the Félix are decided by ADISQ members. The awards are given during an annual ceremony “Gala de l’ADISQ”. Among the categories are Best-selling album, Best album (in various music genres), Songwriter of the year, Composer of the year, Song of the year, Male/Female singer of the year, Discovery of the year, Show of the year, etc.

ADISQ.com | Instagram


The Jim Beam® Indies

Where: Toronto, ON | When: June 8, 2024

The Canadian Independent Music Awards, also known as the Independent Music Awards or Indies, are national awards presented annually to musicians to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music. They were first inaugurated in 2000, and are awarded in Toronto as part of Canada Music Week.

Indies.ca


The JUNO Awards

Where: Halifax, NS | When: March 24, 2024

The JUNO Awards, presented by CARAS, are held annually to celebrate Canadian musical artists and bands, and to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music. This year, hip-hop pioneer Maestro Fresh Wes will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame with a special presentation and performance presented by TD. Tegan and Sara will also be honoured during the ceremony with the prestigious 2024 Humanitarian Award presented by Award-winning actor and Halifax native Elliot Page.

JUNOAwards.ca | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram


Manito Ahbee Festival

Where: Winnipeg, MB | When: May 17-20, 2024

The Manito Ahbee Festival celebrates Indigenous arts, culture, and music in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The 19th annual festival held May 17-20, 2024 will feature: NextGEN, Manito Ahbee Pow Wow, Manito Ahbee Marketplace & Food, Ignite Your Spirit Performance Stage, Spirit Visions, Jig N’ Jam, Manito Ahbee Sports, Indian Horse Relay and more new events/partnerships. Hybrid Virtual events will continue in 2024 which will include Spirit Visions 48 hour film challenge.

ManitoAhbee.com | Instagram


Polaris Music Prize (& Gala)

The Polaris Music Prize is a not-for-profit organization that annually honours and rewards artists who produce Canadian music albums of distinction. A select panel of music critics judge and award the Prize without regard to musical genre or commercial popularity.

PolarisMusicPrize.ca | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram


SOCAN Awards Gala

The SOCAN Awards is an annual event, held in both Toronto and Montréal, which celebrates the songwriting, composing and music publishing achievements of our Anglophone and Francophone members alike. Since 1990 – the inaugural year of the SOCAN Awards – the Canadian music industry has gathered each year to pay tribute to the most-performed songs from the previous year by SOCAN members; honour exceptional film and television music; recognize iconic songs that have reached the 100,000-airplay mark (or 25,000 for Francophone songs) on domestic radio; and present individual SOCAN members with special achievement awards for their impressive career accomplishments.

SOCAN.com | Instagram


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