Donner Prize Explained

The Donner Prize is an award given annually by one of Canada's largest foundations, the Donner Canadian Foundation, for books considered excellent in regard to the writing of Canadian public policy.[1] The prize was established in 1998,[2] and is meant to encourage an open exchange of ideas and to provide a springboard for authors who can make an original and meaningful contribution to policy discourse. The Donner Canadian Foundation also established the prize to recognize and reward the best public policy thinking, writing and research by a Canadian, and the role it plays in determining the well-being of Canadians and the success of Canada as a whole.

The grand prize is $60,000 and short-listed finalists receive $7,500 each.[3] To be eligible, a book must be on a theme relevant to Canadian policy and be authored by one or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Entries are submitted by publishers, and selected by a five-person jury whose members are drawn from the ranks of Canadian professors, university administrators, businesspeople, and politicians. The committee announces a short list in April of each year. The winners and runners-up are announced at an annual awards banquet in April or May.

Winners and nominees

YearAuthorTitleRef
1998Thomas Courchene, Colin TermerFrom Heartland to North American Region-State: The Social, Fiscal, and Federal Evolution of Ontario[4]
Sidney L. HarringWhite Man's Law: Native People in Nineteenth Century Canadian Jurisprudence[5]
Michael HarrisLament for an Ocean: The Collapse of the Atlantic Cod Fishery
Mark HolmesThe Reformation of Canada's Schools
C. Michael MacMillanThe Practice of Language Rights in Canada
Bob RaeThe Three Questions: Prosperity and the Public Good
William WatsonGlobalization and the Meaning of Canadian Life
Jeremy WilsonTalk and Log: Wilderness Politics in British Columbia
1999David GratzerCode Blue: Reviving Canada's Health Care System[6]
Stéphane DionStraight Talk: Speeches and Writings on Canadian Unity[7]
Matthew FraserFree-for-All: The Struggle for Dominance on the Digital Frontier
David PacioccoGetting Away With Murder: The Canadian Criminal Justice System
Kent RoachDue Process and Victims' Rights: The New Law and Politics of Criminal Justice
Jocelyne Saint-ArnaudEnjeux éthiques et technologies biomedicales
Donald J. SavoieGoverning from the Centre: The Concentration of Power in Canadian Politics
2000Tom FlanaganFirst Nation? Second Thoughts[8]
Alan C. CairnsCitizens Plus: Aboriginal Peoples and the Canadian State[9]
David R. Cameron, Graham WhiteCycling Into Saigon: The Conservative Transition in Ontario
Ken CoatesThe Marshall Decision and Native Rights
Daniel MadarHeavy Traffic: Deregulation, Trade, and Transformation in North American Trucking
Fred McMahonRetreat from Growth
F.L. Morton, Rainer KnopffThe Charter Revolution and the Court Party
2001Marie McAndrewImmigration et diversité a l'école: le débat québécois dans une perspective comparative[10]
Geoffrey HaleThe Politics of Taxation in Canada[11]
Jack M. MintzMost Favoured Nation: Building a Framework for Smart Economic Policy
Stan Persky, John DixonOn Kiddie Porn: Sexual Representation, Free Speech and the Robin Sharpe Case
Kent RoachThe Supreme Court on Trial: Judicial Activism or Democratic Dialogue
Donald J. SavoiePulling Against Gravity: Economic Development in New Brunswick During the McKenna Years
Jeffrey SimpsonThe Friendly Dictatorship
2002John F. HelliwellGlobalization and Well-Being[12]
Elizabeth BrubakerLiquid Assets: Privatizing and Regulating Canada's Water Utilities[13]
Christopher Essex, Ross McKitrickTaken by Storm: The Troubled Science, Policy and Politics of Global Warming
Michael HartA Trading Nation: Canadian Trade Policy from Colonialism to Globalization
Mark Jaccard, John Nyboer, Bryn SadownikThe Cost of Climate Policy
Michael JacksonJustice Behind the Walls: Human Rights in Canadian Prisons
Daniel StoffmanWho Gets In: What's Wrong With Canada's Immigration Program and How to Fix It
2003Michael AdamsFire and Ice: The United States, Canada, and the Myth of Converging Values[14]
Lydia Miljan, Barry CooperHidden Agendas: How Journalists Influence the News[15]
Eric MontpetitMisplaced Distrust: Policy Networks and the Environment in France, the United States and Canada
David E. SmithThe Canadian Senate in Bicameral Perspective
2004David Laidler, William RobsonTwo Percent Target: Canadian Monetary Policy Since 1991[16]
Peter S. Grant, Chris WoodBlockbusters and Trade Wars: Popular Culture in a Globalized World[17]
Frank P. HarveySmoke & Mirrors: Globalized Terrorism and the Illusion of Multilateral Security
Christopher P. ManfrediFeminist Activism in the Supreme Court: Legal Mobilization and the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund
L.W. SummerThe Hateful and the Obscene: Studies in the Limits of Free Expression
2005Mark JaccardSustainable Fossil Fuels: The Unusual Suspect in the Quest for Clean and Enduring Energy[18]
Ronald J. Daniels, Michael J. TrebilcockRethinking the Welfare State: The Prospects for Government by Voucher[19]
John IbbitsonThe Polite Revolution: Perfecting the Canadian Dream
David JohnsonSignposts of Success: Interpreting Ontario's Elementary School Test Scores
James B. KellyGoverning with the Charter
2006Eric HelleinerTowards North American Monetary Union? The Politics and History of Canada's Exchange Rate Regime[20]
Roy RempelDreamland: How Canada's Pretend Foreign Policy Has Undermined Sovereignty[21]
Donald J. SavoieVisiting Grandchildren: Economic Development in the Maritimes
2007David E. SmithThe People's House of Commons: Theories of Democracy in Contention[22]
Rodrigo Bascunan, Christian PearceEnter the Babylon System: Unpacking Gun Culture From Samuel Colt to 50 Cent[23]
Michael C. ChettleburghYoung Thugs: Inside the Dangerous World of Canadian Street Gangs
Robert L. EvansFuelling Our Future: An Introduction to Sustainable Energy
Janice Gross Stein, Eugene LangThe Unexpected War: Canada in Kandahar
2008Ken Coates, P. Whitney Lackenbauer, William R. Morrison, Greg PoelzerArctic Front: Defending Canada in the Far North[24]
Tarek FatahChasing a Mirage: The Tragic Illusion of an Islamic State[25]
Bruce LittleFixing the Future: How Canada's Usually Fractious Governments Worked Together to Rescue the Canada Pension Plan
Andrew SanctonThe Limits of Boundaries: Why City-regions Cannot be Self-governing
Frances WiddowsonDisrobing the Aboriginal Industry: The Deception Behind Indigenous Cultural Preservation
2009Brian BowThe Politics of Linkage: Power, Interdependence and Ideas in Canada–US Relations[26]
Michael ByersWho Owns the Arctic? Understanding Sovereignty Disputes in the North
Larry Campbell, Neil Boyd, Lori CulbertA Thousand Dreams: Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and the Fight for Its Future
Evan H. PotterBranding Canada: Projecting Canada's Soft Power through Public Diplomacy
2010Doug SaundersArrival City: The Final Migration and Our Next World[27]
Pamela BlaisPerverse Cities: Hidden Subsidies, Wonky Policy, and Urban Sprawl
Tom Flanagan, Christopher Alcantara, André Le DressayBeyond the Indian Act: Restoring Aboriginal Property Rights
Robert Lacroix, Louis MaheuLe CHUM: une tragédie québécoise
Harry SwainOka: A Political Crisis and Its Legacy
2011Peter Aucoin, Mark D. Jarvis, Lori TurnbullDemocratizing the Constitution[28]
Charles M. Beach, Alan G. Green, Christopher WorswickToward Improving Canada's Skilled Immigration Policy: An Evaluation Approach[29]
Ruth B. PhillipsMuseum Pieces: Toward the Indigenization of Canadian Museums
Neil Seeman, Patrick LucianiXXL: Obesity and the Limits of Shame
2012Jeffrey SimpsonChronic Condition: Why Canada’s Health Care System Needs to be Dragged into the 21st Century[30]
Claude CastonguaySanté: l'heure des choix[31]
Jennifer ClappHunger in the Balance: The New Politics of International Food Aid
Mary JaniganLet the Eastern Bastards Freeze in the Dark: The West Versus the Rest Since Confederation
2013Michael ByersInternational Law and the Arctic[32]
Miranda CampbellOut of the Basement: Youth Cultural Production in Practice and in Policy
Ron EllisUnjust by Design: Canada's Administrative Justice System
Jim Leech, Jacquie McNishThe Third Rail: Confronting Our Pension Failures
Gregory TaylorShut Off: The Canadian Digital Television Transition
2014Michael J. TrebilcockDealing With Losers: The Political Economy of Policy Transitions[33]
Marcel Boyer, Nathalie Elgrably-LévyReinventer le Québec: Douze chantiers à entreprendre[34]
Derek H. Burney, Fen Osler HampsonBrave New Canada: Meeting the Challenge of a Changing World
Joseph HeathEnlightenment 2.0: Restoring Sanity to Our Politics, Our Economy, and Our Lives
2015Donald J. SavoieWhat Is Government Good At? A Canadian Answer[35]
Marq de VilliersBack to the Well[36]
Robert Lacroix, Louis MaheuLeading Research Universities in a Competitive World
David MulroneyMiddle Power, Middle Kingdom
Greg Poelzer, Ken CoatesFrom Treaty Peoples to Treaty Nation: A Road Map for All Canadians
2016Alex MarlandBrand Command: Canadian Politics and Democracy in the Age of Message Control[37]
Yves Couturier, Lucie Bonin, Louise BelzileL'intégration des services en santé: Une approche populationnelle
Juliet JohnsonPriests of Prosperity: How Central Bankers Transformed the Postcommunist World
Daniel LevitinA Field Guide to Lies: Critical Thinking in the Information Age
Sandra MartinA Good Death: Making the Most of Our Final Choices
2017Patricia Meredith, James L. Darroch Stumbling Giants: Transforming Canada's Banks for the Information Age[38]
Frédéric BérardCharte canadienne et droits linguistiques: Pour en finir avec les myths[39]
Kelly Gallagher-Mackay, Nancy SteinhauerPushing the Limits: How Schools Can Prepare our Children Today for the Challenges of Tomorrow
Joshua NewmanGoverning Public-Private Partnerships
Kevin Quigley, Ben Bisset, Bryan MillsToo Critical to Fail: How Canada Manages Threats to Critical Infrastructure
2018Thomas J. CourcheneIndigenous Nationals, Canadian Citizens: From First Contact to Canada 150 and Beyond[40]
Pierre Desrochers, Joanna SzurmakPopulation BombedExploding the Link Between Overpopulation and Climate Change[41]
Evelyn L. ForgetBasic Income for Canadians: The Key to a Healthier, Happier and More Secure Life for All
Peter MacKinnonUniversity Commons Divided: Exploring Debate and Dissent on Campus
Alok Mukherjee, Tim HarperExcessive Force: Toronto's Fight to Reform City Policing
2019Dennis McConaghyBreakdown: The Pipeline Debate and the Threat to Canada’s Future[42]
Darrell Bricker, John IbbitsonEmpty Planet
Wendy DobsonLiving with China
Tom FlanaganThe Wealth of First Nations
Richard Stursberg, Stephen ArmstrongThe Tangled Garden
2020Joseph HeathThe Machinery of Government: Public Administration and the Liberal State[43]
Maurice CussonSécurité, liberté et criminalité
Ronald DeibertReset: Reclaiming the Internet for Civil Society
Mark JaccardThe Citizen’s Guide to Climate Success: Overcoming Myths that Hinder Progress
Brodie RaminThe Age of Fentanyl: Ending the Opioid Epidemic
2021Dan BreznitzInnovation in Real Places: Strategies for Prosperity in an Unforgiving World[44]
Mark CarneyValue(s): Building a Better World for All
Stephanie CarvinStand on Guard
Carole Anne HiltonIndigenomics: Taking a Seat at the Economic Table
André PicardNeglected No More: The Urgent Need to Improve the Lives of Canada's Elders in the Wake of a Pandemic
2022Ryan ManuchaBooze, Cigarettes and Constitutional Dust-Ups: Canada’s Quest for Interprovincial Free Trade[45]
Joseph HeathCooperation and Social Justice[46]
John LorincDream States: Smart Cities, Technology, and the Pursuit of Urban Utopias
Stephen PolozThe Next Age of Uncertainty: How the World Can Adapt to a Riskier Future
Kent RoachCanadian Policing: Why and How It Must Change

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. [George Jonas]
  2. Martin Levin, "Prizes and plans". The Globe and Mail, October 17, 1998.
  3. "Donner Prize purse increased to $50,000". The Globe and Mail, November 8, 2011.
  4. "Courchene wins first Donner prize". St. Catharines Standard, May 14, 1999.
  5. "Policy books shortlisted". The Globe and Mail, April 20, 1999.
  6. "Student wins Donner prize for best book on public policy". Moose Jaw Times-Herald, May 4, 2000.
  7. "Politician Dion on Donner Prize shortlist". St. Catharines Standard, April 1, 2000.
  8. "Calgary professor wins $25,000 Donner Prize". Prince Albert Daily Herald, May 10, 2001.
  9. "Aboriginal theme dominates books shortlisted for Donner Prize". Trail Times, March 30, 2001.
  10. "Marie McAndrew wins Donner Prize". Orillia Packet and Times, May 11, 2002.
  11. "Globe writer Simpson up for Donner Prize". The Globe and Mail, April 11, 2002.
  12. "UBC professor wins Donner Prize". National Post, May 9, 2003.
  13. "Seven books shortlisted for Donner Prize". North Bay Nugget, April 11, 2003.
  14. "Donner Prize goes to book on Canada, U.S. values". Halifax Daily News, May 1, 2004.
  15. "Shortlist chosen for Donner Prize". Orillia Packet and Times, March 31, 2004.
  16. Judy Stoffman, "Fiscal analysis earns Donner prize; Public policy prize worth $35,000 Book called 'clear and enticing'". Toronto Star, April 29, 2005.
  17. "Shortlist unveiled for public-policy book prize". The Globe and Mail, March 31, 2005.
  18. "SFU prof wins national award for his book". Burnaby News Leader, April 28, 2006.
  19. "Donner prize finalists". National Post, March 30, 2006.
  20. "Helleiner wins Donner Prize". Prince George Citizen, May 4, 2007.
  21. "Three books named as Donner Prize finalists". The Globe and Mail, March 29, 2007.
  22. "Saskatchewan professor earns best book prize". Ottawa Citizen, April 17, 2008.
  23. "Books about gun culture, Afghanistan make Donner Prize short list". Waterloo Region Record, March 26, 2008.
  24. "Arctic book wins $35,000 Donner Prize". The Daily Gleaner, May 2, 2009.
  25. "Books on the Arctic, Islam, city politics among Donner Prize finalists". Canadian Press, March 31, 2009.
  26. Peter Scowen, "Brian Bow wins Donner Prize". The Globe and Mail, April 29, 2010.
  27. "Saunders' Arrival City captures Donner Prize". Edmonton Journal, May 1, 2011.
  28. Web site: Donner Prize winner examines power of PMO . . May 1, 2012 . September 12, 2012.
  29. Web site: Donner Prize writers look at obesity, immigration . . April 3, 2012 . September 12, 2012.
  30. "Simpson book Chronic Condition wins Donner Prize". Ottawa Citizen, April 27, 2013.
  31. "Simpson book up for Donner Prize". Edmonton Journal, April 4, 2013.
  32. "UBC's Michael Byers wins $50,000 Donner Prize for book about Arctic". Canadian Press, April 30, 2014.
  33. "Donner Prize names winner". Windsor Star, May 1, 2015.
  34. "Four finalists announced for $50,000 Donner Prize for best public policy book". Canadian Press, April 8, 2015.
  35. Mark Medley, "Donald J. Savoie wins non-fiction Donner Prize". The Globe and Mail, April 27, 2016.
  36. "Finalists announced for Donner Prize". Regina Leader-Post, April 1, 2016.
  37. Mark Medley, "Alex Marland Wins $50,000 Donner Prize". The Globe and Mail, May 20, 2017.
  38. Geoff Zochodne, "Donner Prize-winning book a must-read for big banks; Authors says info tech transformation ignored by financial establishment". Windsor Star, May 17, 2018.
  39. Becky Toyne, "Books on Donner Prize short list will fuel public-policy discussions". The Globe and Mail, May 10, 2018.
  40. Neil Moss and Samantha Wright Allen, "Tom Courchene wins Donner Prize, best public policy book of the year". The Hill Times, May 6, 2019.
  41. "Dalhousie administrator's controversial book shortlisted for $50K Donner Prize". National Post, April 2, 2019.
  42. Web site: Book about Canadian pipelines wins $50K Donner Prize for best book on public policy. CBC.ca. September 16, 2020. November 13, 2020.
  43. Web site: Joseph Heath wins $50,000 Donner Prize for public policy book. The Globe and Mail. May 19, 2021. June 2, 2021.
  44. https://toronto.citynews.ca/2022/05/31/munk-professor-dan-breznitz-wins-donner-prize-for-innovation-in-real-places/ "Munk professor Dan Breznitz wins Donner Prize for 'Innovation in Real Places'"
  45. Cassandra Drudi, "Ryan Manucha wins 2022 Donner Prize". Quill & Quire, May 19, 2023.
  46. Cassandra Drudi, "2022 Donner Prize shortlist announced". Quill & Quire, April 11, 2023.