Book Lists

Donner Prize Shortlist 2015/16

This year The Donner Canadian Foundation proudly celebrates the eighteenth anniversary of the Donner Prize, which annually rewards excellence and innovation in public policy writing by Canadians. The largest and most prestigious prize of its kind, the Donner Prize awards $50,000 to the author of the winning book, with $7,500 awarded to each of the other shortlisted titles (to a maximum of five titles). The Donner Canadian Foundation 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. Previous honourees have shed light on a wide range of issues bearing on the economy, politics and society in general. The prize is meant to encourage an open exchange of ideas and to provide a springboard for authors who may not necessarily be well-known, but who can make an original and meaningful contribution to policy discourse. The Donner Canadian Foundation, one of Canada's largest foundations, was established in 1950 by businessman and philanthropist William H. Donner to support projects that advance the common good in Canada by encouraging private initiative, independence and individual responsibility. Over the years, the Foundation has been instrumental in encouraging and supporting public policy research throughout Canada in a variety of fields. Since 1967, the Foundation has contributed over $100 million to more than 1,000 projects across the country.

by Kerry Clare