Selected by editor Aislinn Hunter, the 2025 edition of Best Canadian Poetry showcases the best Canadian poetry writing published in 2023.

Featuring:

Hollie Adams • George Amabile • Erin Bedford • Billy-Ray Belcourt • Bertrand Bickersteth • Elisabeth Blair • Ronna Bloom • Alison Braid-Fernandez • Robert Bringhurst • Emily Cann • Anne Carson • Molly Cross-Blanchard • Lorna Crozier • Kayla Czaga • Evelyna Ekoko-Kay • Kate Genevieve • Susan Gillis • Sue Goyette • Catherine Graham • Henry Heavyshield • Gerald Hill • Alexander Hollenberg • Kim June Johnson • Eve Joseph • Evelyn Lau • Y. S. Lee • D. A. Lockhart • Fareh Malik • David Martin • Domenica Martinello • Cassidy McFadzean • Carmelita McGrath • Erín Moure • Tolu Oloruntoba • Catherine Owen • Molly Peacock • Miranda Pearson • Pauline Peters • Amanda Proctor • Shannon Quinn • Armand Garnet Ruffo • Anne Simpson • Carolyn Smart • Karen Solie • Catherine St. Denis • Owen Torrey • Michael Trussler • Sara Truuvert • Rob Winger • Jaeyun Yoo

Aislinn Hunter is the author of two books of poetry Into the Early Hours and The Possible Past, a short story collection What’s Left Us, and a novel Stay, all of which won national awards including the Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize, the Pat Lowther Award, The ReLit Prize, the Gerald Lampert Award, The Danuta Gleed Award and a nomination for the Journey Prize.She teaches creative writing part-time at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and divides her time between Canada and the UK where she is finishing a Ph.D. at the University of Edinburgh.

Aislinn Hunter's profile page

Anita Lahey's poems have appeared in the Malahat Review, the Antigonish Review, Prairie Fire, This Magazine, in Ottawa buses as part of the Transpoetry competition, and in The New Canon: An Anthology of Canadian Poetry. She has won the Great Blue Heron Poetry Contest, Ralph Gustafson Prize for Best Poem, and first prize for poetry in Pagitica's annual literary competition. Lahey is the editor of Arc: Canada's Poetry Magazine and lives in Montreal.

Anita Lahey's profile page

Praise for Best Canadian Poetry

“The wide range of writers, forms and themes represented here make it a great jumping-off point for readers who might be interested in Canadian poetry but are unsure about where to start.”

—Globe and Mail

"One of the best things about the end of the year is having a chance to look back. The three Best Canadian volumes ... are a snapshot of some of the finest in Canadian writing this year."

—Robert J. Wiersema, Toronto Star

“[These] books are must-haves for libraries, schools, and intellectually well-intentioned bedside nightstands across the country.”

—Quill & Quire

"The curated anthology of Canadian poetry hand selected by Aislinn Hunter displays the human soul through its collection of diverse poets . . . Best Canadian Poetry 2025 does not let down in terms of its promised quality and more importantly, the heart put into each work. The authors in this book all compliment the series by incorporating their unique literary styles and techniques, ensuring an enticing read for seasoned poetry readers and casual ones alike."

—Ciara Richardson, Arthur Newspaper

“Buy it, or borrow it, but do read it.”

—Arc Poetry Magazine

“A magnet, I think, for the many people who would like to know contemporary poetry.”

—A.F. Moritz, Griffin Poetry Prize winner

“An eclectic and diverse collection of Canadian poetry ... a wonderful addition to anyone’s bookshelf.”

—Toronto Quarterly