Best Canadian Essays 2025

This collection gathers the most compelling Canadian nonfiction published in 2023, curated by editor Emily Urquhart to present a vital cross-section of contemporary thought. The essays traverse a remarkable range of subjects, from the personal to the political, featuring established voices like Helen Humphreys and Leanne Betasamosake Simpson alongside powerful new writers. This is not a quiet anthology; it is a vibrant and challenging portrait of a nation in conversation with itself, capturing the intellectual and cultural currents of a specific moment in time.

What makes this volume distinctive is its function as both a literary time capsule and a masterclass in the essay form itself. Readers who appreciate sharp cultural criticism, deeply personal memoir, and incisive political commentary will find a wealth of material to engage with, from the journalistic to the lyrical. The cumulative effect is a resonant and thought-provoking experience that demonstrates the enduring power of the written word to dissect, understand, and illuminate our world.