Photo by Krystyna Wesolowska

Toronto poet Michael Fraser has been named recipient of this year’s CBC Poetry Prize for his poem‚ “African Canadian in Union Blue.” For his win‚ Fraser will receive a $6‚000 purse from the Canada Council for the Arts and a 10-day writing residency at the Banff Centre; and have his winning poem published in Air Canada’s enRoute magazine.

Jury members Roo Borson, George Elliott Clarke‚ and Erín Moure called the poem a “dramatic monologue highlighting African-Canadian history‚ rife with techniques.”

Fraser’s latest book‚ To Greet Yourself Arriving‚ was published by Tightrope Books in May.

Runners-up Ross Belot‚ Selina Boan‚ Adam Dickinson‚ and Andréa Ledding will each receive $1‚000.