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Writers’ Trust announces finalists for inaugural Balsillie Prize for Public Policy

Balsillie Prize for Public Policy finalists

The Writers’ Trust has announced four finalists for the inaugural $60,000 Balsillie Prize for Public Policy.

The prize recognizes nonfiction books that advance policy discussions about social, political, economic, and cultural topics that are relevant to Canadians. It is funded by tech entrepreneur Jim Balsillie as part of his $3 million commitment to supporting Canadian literature.

The shortlisted books are:

  • Innovation in Real Places: Strategies for Prosperity in an Unforgiving World, by Dan Breznitz (Oxford University Press)
  • On Borrowed Time: North America’s Next Big Quake, by Gregor Craigie (Goose Lane Editions)
  • Neglected No More: The Urgent Need to Improve the Lives of Canada’s Elders in the Wake of a Pandemic, by André Picard (Random House Canada)
  • “Indian” in the Cabinet: Speaking Truth to Power, by Jody Wilson-Raybould (HarperCollins)

The jury, composed of author and physician Samantha Nutt, policy expert Taki Sarantakis, and digital strategist Scott Young, selected the finalists from 69 titles submitted by 34 publishers. Each finalist receives $5,000.

The winner will be announced online on Nov. 24.