2026 Leacock Medal Shortlist

The shortlist for this year’s Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour is out, and I’ve decided to read all the nominees. Let’s talk about them!

What is the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour?

If you’re like I was a few weeks ago, you might be asking, “What is the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour?” Well, it’s one of the oldest literary prizes in Canada, having been held every year but one since 1947. Stephen Leacock (1869-1944) was one of Canada’s (maybe even the world’s) greatest humourists, so after his death, this memorial award was set up to recognize authors and works that tickle Canada’s funny bone, whether that’s in a laugh-out-loud way or a darker and more satirical way.

My favourite modern novel, Molly of the Mall: Literary Lass and Purveyor of Fine Footwear, by Heidi L.M. Jacobs, won this award in 2020, and the copy I own has the symbol of the award on its cover, as pictured below with pride of place on my Canadiana shelf:

…yet somehow I had no idea this award existed until recently. 🤦‍♀️ Yeah, that’s enough talk about my failings as an advocate for Canadian literature!

This year’s shortlist

The main reason I decided to follow this prize and read the shortlist is because She’s a Lamb! by Meredith Hambrock, one of my top 5 favourite reads of 2025, has been nominated! I reviewed this book for my blog here, and in that review I lamented its exclusion from the Giller Prize shortlist. As it turned out, Meredith Hambrock was one of many authors boycotting the Giller Prize, whether the judges would have deemed it worthy of a nomination or not. Well, now is this awesome book’s time to shine!

There are only 2 other books on the shortlist:

Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World by Mark Waddell, a darkly funny novel set in a Hell-like corporation where low-level employee Colin basically sells his soul for a promotion. I’ve just started reading this one and am quite enjoying it so far.

Snap by Susin Nielsen, a comedy about three extremely different people who meet in a court-mandated anger management class after reaching their respective breaking points. I’ll be starting this one soon. Love the sound of it!

When and where

The winner will be announced on June 20. As far as I am aware, it won’t be streamed or televised, but the gala dinner for the announcement takes place in Orillia, Ontario, on the 20th, and there’s also a “Meet the Authors” event on June 19.

Obligatory affiliate links

I’m an affiliate of both Bookshop.org (servicing US and UK) and Booksellers.ca (servicing Canada), so below are some links you can follow to purchase any of these books if you so desire. By doing so, you’ll be supporting independent bookstores near you, as well as yours truly, at no extra expense to you.

She’s a Lamb! – buy from Bookshop.org | from Booksellers.ca

Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World – buy from Bookshop.org | from Booksellers.ca

Snap – buy from Bookshop.org | from Booksellers.ca