2026 National Business Book Award Shortlist Press Release Announcement
41-years of celebrating Canadian business thought leadership
$30,000 literary prize reveals shortlist
2026 National Business Book Award Winner announced November 26
Toronto, ON November 4, 2026 — Three significant books exploring corporate crisis management, reputational risk, Canadian immigration and how the publishing world works have been selected as finalists for the 2026 National Business Book Award, marking the 41st anniversary of Canada's premier literary recognition for business writing. The shortlisted authors will compete for the $30,000 prize with the winner announced on November 26 at a ceremony in Toronto.
“As Canada works to find its place and its voice in an evolving world order, we are re-considering a range of strategic economic and social issues with greater urgency. This year’s finalists examine Canada’s immigration policy, its cultural enterprises and their critical role in our identity, and the values and standards that govern our global corporations,” said Deirdre McMurdy, Award Adjudicator and Chair of the Jury. "We are grateful for the sponsorship of Stephen Smith and Smith Financial Corporation for sustaining the legacy of these awards and the books they honour.”
The 2026 finalists are:
Borderline Chaos: How Canada Got Immigration Right, and Then Wrong
Tony Keller | Sutherland House Books
Diverging views on immigration and its impact on Canada’s economy and social fabric have become increasingly divisive. Author Tony Keller steps into the fray with a dispassionate, fact-based review of Canada’s historic immigration policies, laying the foundation for informed discussions about the players and the current state of play. By looking at how we got to where we are – with focus on an influx of new arrivals between 2021 and 2025 - he also delivers a prescription for moving strategically forward.
A Precarious Enterprise: Making a Life in Canadian Publishing
Scott McIntyre | ECW Press
In his engaging memoir, author and publisher Scott McIntyre, provides an insider’s view of the Canadian publishing business and its evolution over decades. (Along the way he provides thumbnail profiles of some of our country’s most legendary authors and characters.) While working in Canadian publishing is clearly a passion project, it also requires business acumen, emotional intelligence, political savvy, creativity, and nerves of steel. At a time when Canadian identity and values are shaping public conversation and policies, A Precarious Enterprise provides an informative, first-hand business context for the embedded issues.
Inside SNC-Lavalin: How Crime & Politics Almost Killed a Great Canadian Company
Lawrence Stevenson | Sutherland House Books
As corporate scandals go, the saga of SNC-Lavalin had it all: a corrupt Middle Eastern dictator, family, bribery, intrigue and a messy political denouement. Where was the board of directors of this publicly traded company as things began to unravel? What were the corporate governance standards that shaped their responses? Lawrence (Larry) Stevenson, an experienced CEO who served as a director and Board Chair of SNC-Lavalin, shares an insider’s perspective of the story.
ABOUT THE AWARD
Established in 1985, the National Business Book Award recognizes Canadian authors whose work demonstrates exceptional research, originality, and relevance to contemporary business challenges. Evaluating each submission is an independent jury chaired by Deirdre McMurdy, Adjudicator: Anna Porter, author, and publisher; Bobby Siu, PhD, Professor, Management Consultant and 2022 NBBA shortlisted author; the Honourable Pamela Wallin; Stephen Poloz, 2023 winner and former governor of the Bank of Canada; and Dahabo Ahmed-Omer, CEO of BlackNorth Initiative. Canada’s National Business Book Award is generously sponsored by Presenting Partner Stephen J.R. Smith and Smith Financial Corporation, BMO, RBC, The Globe and Mail, and The Walrus. Past winners include Alexandra Posadzki, Adam Miron, Sébastien St-Louis & Julie Beun, Stephen R. Bown, Prime Minister Mark Carney, Jeff Rubin, Gordon Pitts, Naomi Klein, Chrystia Freeland, Daniel Levitin, and Andrea Benoit.
Follow on LinkedIn and visit nbbaward.com for the full list of past winners.
For further information please contact:
Mary Ann Freedman, Freedman & Associates Inc.
416-523-8681 | maf@freedmanandassociates.com
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