Canadian Screen Award for Best Reality/Competition Series explained

The Canadian Screen Award for Best Reality/Competition Series is an annual Canadian television award, presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best Canadian reality television series. Previously presented as part of the Gemini Awards, since 2013 it has been presented as part of the Canadian Screen Awards.

The award was originally presented as Best Reality Program or Series, and did not necessarily require nominated or winning shows to be competitive in nature. As other awards were introduced for categories such as lifestyle, factual and history programming, the reality category's focus narrowed in more strongly on competition shows.

2000s

Year	Program	Producers	Network	Ref
2003 18th Gemini Awards
		Marie Côté, Vincent Gagné, Arnie Gelbart	Global	^[1]
	eLove	Cesca Barton, Andre Barro	W Network	^[2]
	Matchmaker	Andrea Gorfolova	Life Network
	Popstars: The One	Maria Pimentel, Michael Geddes	Global
2004 19th Gemini Awards
	"The Making of a Political Animal"	Catherine Legge, Jane Mingay, Cecil Rosner, Jim Williamson	CBC	^[3]
	Buy Me	Nikila Cole, Hans Rosenstein	HGTV	^[4]
	Hooked Up	Michael Geddes, Michael Frislev, Chad Oakes, Maria Pimentel, Tom Powers	Toronto 1
	Kenny vs. Spenny	Abby Finer, Noreen Halpern, Kenny Hotz, Ira Levy, John Morayniss, Spencer Rice, Kirsten Scollie, Peter Williamson	CBC
	Venture "Back to the Floor"	Patsy Pehleman, Chad Paulin, Tracie Tighe	CBC
	Zoo Diaries	Garry Blye, Howard Bernstein, Mark Shekter	Life Network
2005 20th Gemini Awards
	Venture "The Town Doctor"	Patsy Pehleman, Tracie Tighe	CBC	^[5]
	Buy Me	Hans Rosenstein, Debbie Travis, Jean-François Monette	HGTV
	Made to Order	Michael Rubino, Henry Less	Food Network
2006 21st Gemini Awards
	MuchMusic VJ Search	Andrea Gabourie, Barbara Bowlby, John Brunton	MuchMusic	^[6]
		Jamie Brown	History	^[7]
	From the Ground Up with Debbie Travis	Hans Rosenstein, Debbie Travis, Kit Redmond	Global
	The Next Great Chef	Edi Osghian, Andy Levine, Nick Versteeg	Global
	Venture "The Big Switcheroo: Boston Pizza"	Tracie Tighe, Dianne Buckner	CBC
2007 22nd Gemini Awards
	Canada's Next Top Model	Ivan Schneeberg, David Fortier, Sheila Hockin, Ron Carroll	Citytv	^[8]
	5 Seekers	Allan Novak, Joan Jenkinson, Ralph Benmergui	VisionTV	^[9]
	Design Interns	Maria Pimentel, Joseph Blasioli	HGTV
	Dragons' Den	Mike Downie, Tracie Tighe, Stuart Coxe	CBC
	The Next Great Chef	Edi Osghian, Giuliana Bertuzzi, Nick Versteeg	Global
2008 23rd Gemini Awards
	Project Runway Canada	John Brunton, Barbara Bowlby, Sheila Hockin	Slice	^[10]
	Canada's Next Top Model	Sheila Hockin, Brad Brough, David Fortier, Jay Manuel, Ivan Schneeberg	Citytv	^[11]
	Dragons' Den	Stuart Coxe, Catherine Annau, Lisa Gabriele, Tracie Tighe	CBC
	Triple Sensation	Garth Drabinsky, Sandra Cunningham, Sari Friedland, Alex Ganetakos	CBC
	The Week the Women Went	Cal Shumiatcher, Trevor Hodgson, Sally Aitken, David Paperny	CBC
2009 24th Gemini Awards
	Dragons' Den	Stuart Coxe, Tracie Tighe, Lisa Gabriele	CBC	^[12]
	disBAND: The Homecoming	John Kampilis, Chris Barrow, Mark Myers, Jason Ford	MuchMusic	^[13]
	GoldMind	Mary Darling, Kim E. Brouwer, Clark Donnelly	TVtropolis
	Project Runway Canada	Andrea Gabourie, Barbara Bowlby, John Brunton	Global
	The Week the Women Went	Ed Hatton, David Paperny, Cal Shumiatcher, Peter Waal, Trevor Hodgson, Brad Brough	CBC

2010s

Year	Program	Producers	Network	Ref
2010 25th Gemini Awards
	The Cupcake Girls	Peter Waal, Gillian Lowrey, John Ritchie, Grant Greschuk, Rob Bromley	W Network	^[14]
	Canada's Next Top Model	Brad Brough, Sheila Hockin, Jay Manuel, Ivan Schneeberg, David Fortier, Lena Cordina	CTV
	Dragons' Den	Tracie Tighe, Mike Armitage, Lisa Gabriele	CBC
	Love It or List It	Catherine Fogarty, Maria Armstrong	W Network
2011 26th Gemini Awards
	Dragons' Den	Mike Armitage, Lisa Gabriele, Tracie Tighe	CBC	^[15]
	All for Nothing?	Tim Alp, Lisa Nault	W Network	^[16]
	Best Trip Ever	Sharone Ostrovsky, Andrew Burnstein	Discovery Channel
	CheF*OFF	Peter Moscone, Carolyn Meland, Romano D'Andrea, D'Arcy Butler, Jeff Preyra	Food Network
	Conviction Kitchen	Gerard Barry, Simon Lloyd	Citytv
2012 1st Canadian Screen Awards
	Dragons' Den	Mike Armitage, Lisa Gabriele, Tracie Tighe	CBC	^[17]
	Canada's Greatest Know-It-All	Lena Cordina, David W. Brady, Brad Brough	Discovery Channel	^[18]
	Canada's Handyman Challenge	Joseph Blasioli, Maria Pimentel	HGTV
	The Real Housewives of Vancouver	John G. Lenic, Grant Fraggalosch, Grant Greschuk, Louise Clark, Erin Haskett	Slice
	Redemption Inc.	Lesia Capone, Cathie James, Guy O'Sullivan	CBC
2013 2nd Canadian Screen Awards
	Dragons' Den	Mike Armitage, Lisa Gabriele, Tracie Tighe	CBC	^[19]
	Canada's Greatest Know-It-All	Brad Brough, Suzanne Steeves	Discovery Channel	^[20]
	Canada's Handyman Challenge	Joseph Blasioli, Maria Pimentel	HGTV
	Intervention Canada	Tom Powers, Barbara Bowlby, John Brunton, John Murray, Karen Wookey	Slice
	Top Chef Canada	Barbara Bowlby, Cliff Dempster, Eric Abboud, Jennifer Pratt, John Brunton, Mark Lysakowski	Food Network
2014 3rd Canadian Screen Awards
	The Amazing Race Canada	Eric Abboud, Mike Bickerton, Barbara Bowlby, John Brunton, Mark Lysakowski	CTV	^[21]
	Big Brother Canada	Eric Abboud, Barbara Bowlby, Erin Brock, Sue Brophey, John Brunton	Slice	^[22]
	MasterChef Canada	Lesia Capone, Cathie James, Krista Look, Guy O’Sullivan	CTV
		Dave Bigelow, Mike Wetmore, Don Young	Sportsnet 360
	Unusually Thicke	Carrie Mudd	Slice
2015 4th Canadian Screen Awards
	The Amazing Race Canada	John Brunton, Barbara Bowlby, Mark Lysakowski, Mike Bickerton, Sarah James, Kyle Martin, Daniela Battistella, Robyn Bigue, Ann Camilleri, Guy Clarkson, Catherine Petersen	CTV	^[23]
	Big Brother Canada	John Brunton, Barbara Bowlby, Erin Brock, Sue Brophey, Eric Abboud, David Lembke, Brett Morris, Lara Shaw	Slice	^[24]
	Dragons' Den	Tracie Tighe, Amy Bourne, Scott Boyd	CBC
	Game of Homes	Blair Reekie, Mark Miller, Kelly McClughan, Bill Gaudsmith	W Network
	MasterChef Canada	Lesia Capone, Cathie James, Krista Look, Guy O'Sullivan	CTV
2016 5th Canadian Screen Awards
	The Amazing Race Canada	John Brunton, Barbara Bowlby, Mark Lysakowski, Mike Bickerton, Sarah James, Kyle Martin, Robyn Bigue, Guy Clarkson, Ann Camilleri, Stephanie Millman, Catherine Petersen	CTV	^[25]
	Big Brother Canada	John Brunton, Barbara Bowlby, Erin Brock, Sue Brophey, Eric Abboud, Trevor Boris, David Lembke, Lara Shaw, Brett Morris	Global	^[26]
	Canada's Smartest Person	Robert Cohen, Barry Davis	CBC
	Knock Knock Ghost	Kyle Whitelaw, Philip Webb, Brad E. Danks	OutTV
	MasterChef Canada	Guy O'Sullivan, Cathie James, Lesia Capone, Krista Look, Maria Knight	CTV
2017 6th Canadian Screen Awards
	The Amazing Race Canada	John Brunton, Barbara Bowlby, Mark Lysakowski, Mike Bickerton, Sarah James, Kyle Martin, Robyn Bigue, Guy Clarkson, Ann Camilleri, Stephanie Millman, Catherine Petersen	CTV	^[27]
	The Bachelorette Canada	Claire Freeland	W Network	^[28]
	Big Brother Canada	John Brunton, Barbara Bowlby, Erin Brock, Sue Brophey, Eric Abboud, Trevor Boris, Brett Morris, Liam Colle, Lara Shaw	Global
	MasterChef Canada	Guy O'Sullivan, Lesia Capone, Cathie James, Marike Emery	CTV
	Top Chef Canada	John Brunton, Barbara Bowlby, Mark Lysakowski, Eric Abboud, Cliff Dempster, Jennifer Pratt, Erica Lenczner	Food Network
2018 7th Canadian Screen Awards
	The Amazing Race Canada	John Brunton, Barbara Bowlby, Mark Lysakowski, Mike Bickerton, Sarah James, Kyle Martin, Robyn Bigue, Guy Clarkson, Ann Camilleri, Stephanie Millman, Catherine Petersen	CTV	^[29]
	Big Brother Canada	John Brunton, Erin Brock, Eric Abboud, Trevor Boris, Liam Colle, Daniel Klimitz, Chris Carter, Chris Chilco, Amy Regan	Global
	Canada's Smartest Person Junior	Robert Cohen, Barry Davis, Melanie Brobyn	CBC
	Knock Knock Ghost	Kyle Whitelaw, Philip Webb	OutTV
	MasterChef Canada	Cathie James, Lesia Capone, Meredith Veats, David Donohue	CTV
2019 8th Canadian Screen Awards
	The Amazing Race Canada	John Brunton, Mark Lysakowski, Sarah James, Mark Peacock, Jesse Storey, Michael Tersigni, Jeff Thrasher, Robyn Bigue, Ann Camilleri, Guy Clarkson, Catherine Petersen, Marc Poirier, Michael Yerxa	CTV	^[30]
	Big Brother Canada	Erin Brock, John Brunton, Trevor Boris, Amy Regan, Liam Colle, Daniel Klimitz, Chris Carter, Eric Abboud	Global	^[31]
	Blown Away	Matt Hornburg, Mark J.W. Bishop, Donna Luke, Ron Carroll, Mike Bickerton, Ajeeth Parkal	Makeful
	The Great Canadian Baking Show	Cathie James, Lesia Capone, Marike Emery	CBC
	Top Chef Canada	John Brunton, Mark Lysakowski, Eric Abboud, Cliff Dempster, Sarah James, Daniel Klimitz, Erica Lenczner	Food Network

2020s

Year	Program	Producers	Network	Ref
2020 9th Canadian Screen Awards
	Canada's Drag Race	Michael Kot, Laura Michalchyshyn, Betty Orr, Mike Bickerton, Pam McNair, RuPaul Charles, Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, Randy Lennox, Tracey Pearce, Jen Markowitz	Crave	^[32]
	Battle of the Blades	Sandra Bezic, John Brunton, Lindsay Cox, Erin Brock, Mark Lysakowski	CBC	^[33]
	Dragons' Den	Tracie Tighe, Molly Middleton, Yette Vandendam	CBC
	The Great Canadian Baking Show	Cathie James, Lesia Capone, Marike Emery	CBC
	Wall of Chefs	John Brunton, Mark Lysakowski, Eric Abboud, Erica Lenczner, Sarah James	Food Network
2021 10th Canadian Screen Awards
	Canada's Drag Race	Pam McNair, Betty Orr, Trevor Boris, Laura Michalshyshyn, Michael Kot, Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, RuPaul Charles, Justin Stockman, Jen Markowitz, Spencer Fritz	Crave	^[34]
	Big Brother Canada	Erin Brock, John Brunton, Eric Abboud, Trevor Boris, Arisa Cox, Liam Colle, Amy Regan, Vanessa Rennard, Daniel Klimitz	Global	^[35]
	Blown Away	Matthew Hornburg, Mark J.W. Bishop, Donna Luke, Amy Hosking	Netflix
	Fire Masters	Mike Sheerin, Tanya Linton, Jennifer Pratt	Food Network
	Top Chef Canada	John Brunton, Eric Abboud, Mark Lysakowski, Jessica Brunton, Cliff Dempster, Daniel Klimitz	Food Network
2022 11th Canadian Screen Awards
	The Amazing Race Canada	John Brunton, Mark Lysakowski, Bertram van Munster, Elise Doganieri, Sarah James, Vanessa Rennard, Robyn Bigue, Ann Camilleri, Guy Clarkson, Catherine Petersen	CTV	^[36]
	Best in Miniature	Matthew Hornburg, Mark J.W. Bishop, Diane Rankin, Donna Luke, Marike Emery, Jacqui Skeete	CBC Gem	^[37]
	Blown Away	Matthew Hornburg, Mark J.W. Bishop, Donna Luke, Amy Hosking	Netflix
	Canada's Drag Race	Trevor Boris, Michelle Mama, Yette Vandendam, Betty Orr, Laura Michalchyshyn, Michael Kot, Justin Stockman, Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, RuPaul Charles, Spencer Fritz	Crave
	A Cut Above	Matthew Hornburg, Mark J.W. Bishop, Carly Spencer, Diane Rankin, Donna Luke, Grant Greschuk	Discovery
2023 12th Canadian Screen Awards
		Trevor Boris, Michelle Mama, Yette Vandendam, Betty Orr, Laura Michalchyshyn, Michael Kot, Justin Stockman, Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, RuPaul Charles, Spencer Fritz	Crave
	The Amazing Race Canada	John Brunton, Mark Lysakowski, Bertram Van Munster, Elise Doganieri, Robyn Bigue, Ann Camilleri, Guy Clarkson, Catherine Petersen, Vanessa Rennard, Janel Hirdes, Anthony Matkovic, Jon Montgomery, Dayna Sayer, Michael Tersigni, Jesse Storey, Sarah James	CTV
	Best in Miniature	Matthew Hornburg, Mark J.W. Bishop, Diane Rankin, Donna Luke, Erica Lenczner	CBC Gem
	Big Brother Canada	Erin Brock, Eric Abboud, Arisa Cox, John Brunton, Jennifer Leek, Liam Colle, Chris Carter, Jessica Brunton, Lauren McCuaig, Cory Bell, Nick Vasil, Victoria De Filippis, Akhila Adige, Mark Holland	Global
	Canada's Ultimate Challenge	John Brunton, Mark Lysakowski, Phil Gurin, Ann-Marie Redmond, Jeff Thrasher, Robyn Bigue, Ken Katigbak, Catherine Petersen, Sarah James, Vanessa Rennard, Michael Yerxa, Sue Brophey	CBC Television

Notes and References

1. "Cirque du Soleil wins Gemini Awards". Prince George Citizen, October 20, 2003.
2. Alex Strachan, "The Eleventh Hour leads Gemini field". Victoria Times-Colonist, September 10, 2003.
3. "Miniseries on Halifax Explosion takes a number of honours at Geminis". Canadian Press, December 13, 2004.
4. Alex Strachan, "Human Cargo leads Gemini nominations". Kingston Whig-Standard, October 27, 2004.
5. https://playbackonline.ca/2005/12/05/gem-20051205/ "2005 Gemini Winners"
6. "MuchMusic wins Gemini for reality show". Hamilton Spectator, October 19, 2006.
7. Doug Camilli, "The best in some of Canadian TV". National Post, August 30, 2006.
8. "Catwalk prowlers win best reality show Gemini". Victoria Times-Colonist, October 17, 2007.
9. David George-Cosh, "Mosque snubbed for top TV award". The Globe and Mail, August 29, 2007.
10. Alex Strachan, "Geminis given to familiar fare". Windsor Star, November 29, 2008.
11. Andrea Baillie, "Geminis get mysterious; Murdoch Mysteries, shot in Cambridge, among detective shows rewarded with a nod". Waterloo Region Record, August 27, 2008.
12. Shannon Montgomery, "'Flashpoint' wins big at Geminis". Telegraph-Journal, November 17, 2009.
13. "A list of some of the Gemini nominations, honouring the best". Guelph Mercury, August 26, 2009.
14. Melissa Leong, "Monteith cracks 'em up at Geminis; Tudors wins top honours at awards show hosted by Glee star". Calgary Herald, November 14, 2010.
15. Bill Brioux, "Blades, Degrassi, Pillars take Geminis: The Kennedys, Borgias Tudors, Flashpoint and Call Me Fitz fared well". Toronto Star, September 1, 2011.
16. Paula McCooey, "Ottawa's All for Nothing? nominated for Gemini". Ottawa Citizen, August 6, 2011.
17. W. Andrew Powell, "Winners at the 2013 Canadian Screen Awards". TheGATE.ca, March 3, 2013.
18. Diane Wild, "Canadian Screen Award nominations announced". TV, eh, January 15, 2013.
19. Kevin Ritchie, "'Watermark,' 'Dragon’s Den' among CSA winners". RealScreen, March 10, 2014.
20. Chris Jancelewicz, "Canadian Screen Awards 2014: Nominees Announced For TV And Movie Honours". The Huffington Post, January 13, 2014.
21. "'Orphan Black,' 'Mommy' top Canadian Screen Awards with multiple wins". Canadian Press, March 1, 2015.
22. https://playbackonline.ca/2015/01/13/canadian-screen-awards-15-tv-categories/ "Canadian Screen Awards ’15: TV categories"
23. "Local productions Screenies winners". Winnipeg Free Press, March 12, 2016.
24. Brent Furdyk, "2016 Canadian Screen Awards Nominees Announced". ET Canada, January 19, 2016.
25. "'Amazing Race Canada' among big winners at first Canadian Screen Awards night". Canadian Press, March 8, 2017.
26. http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/canadian-screen-awards-nominations-1.3938015 "Orphan Black, Schitt's Creek, Kim's Convenience up for Canadian Screen Awards"
27. Jessica Wong, "Canadian Screen Awards 2018: Heather Hiscox, The Fifth Estate, APTN win top awards". CBC News, March 6, 2018.
28. Corey Atad, "‘Anne’ And ‘Ava’ Lead 2018 Canadian Screen Awards Nominations". ET Canada, January 16, 2018.
29. Brent Furdyk, "2019 Canadian Screen Awards: Complete List Of Winners From Televised Gala". ET Canada, March 31, 2019.
30. https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/csas-2020-kids-lifestyle-1.5585361 "Amazing Race Canada wins big on 2nd night of Canadian Screen Awards"
31. Greg David, "Hits and Misses: The 2020 Canadian Screen Awards nominees". TV, eh?, February 19, 2020.
32. Victoria Ahearn, "‘Canada’s Drag Race’ earns victory lap with leading five Canadian Screen Awards". Toronto Star, May 17, 2021.
33. Brent Furdyk, "Television Nominees Announced For 2021 Canadian Screen Awards, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Leads The Pack With 21 Nominations". ET Canada, March 30, 2021.
34. https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2022/04/06/canadas-drag-race-rules-reality-categories-at-the-canadian-screen-awards.html "‘Canada’s Drag Race’ rules reality categories at the Canadian Screen Awards"
35. Brent Furdyk, "2022 Canadian Screen Award Nominees Announced, ‘Sort Of’ & ‘Scarborough’ Lead The Pack". ET Canada, February 15, 2022.
36. https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/csas-2023-second-night-1.6808510 "Canada's Drag Race, Paw Patrol clean up on CSAs' second night"
37. Etan Vlessing, "Canadian Screen Awards: TV Drama ‘The Porter’ Leads With 19 Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter, February 22, 2023.