#1 Media & Literary Event
The highlight of the literary calendar, the award doubled its prize money this year to $100,000. Sean Michaels won for his novel Us Conductors and was feted at the black-tie gala dinner for 450 authors, editors, and publishers at the Ritz-Carlton Toronto. Next: November 10, 2015
#2 Media & Literary Event (up from #3)
The festival relocates to Harbourfront Centre and the revitalized Queen’s Quay this fall. The indoor-outdoor venue is increasing programming options, including newly added Author Boat Cruises where readers can cruise Lake Ontario with writers. Next: September 27, 2015
#3 Media & Literary Event
In 2014, the 11-day festival featured the best of contemporary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama, as well as a focus on World War I and a special event in support of PEN Canada featuring film director David Cronenberg. Next: October 22-November 1, 2015
#4 Media & Literary Event (up from #5)
The public debates continue to elevate the political discourse in Toronto by packing Roy Thompson Hall twice yearly and now creating podcasts for the Globe and Mail’s Books section. The topic of the spring debate was the West versus Russia. Next: November 2015
#5 Media & Literary Event
The gala moved to the Arcadian Court this year where Oliver & Bonacini Events catered dinner for a sold-out room of 450. Gossip queens Lainey Lui and Jessica Allen co-hosted. RedPoint Media and Rogers Publishing were among the sponsors. Next: June 2016
#6 Media & Literary Event
Naomi Klein’s climate-change book This Changes Everything won the $60,000 prize in 2014 at a salon-style gathering for more than 200 members of the literary, philanthropic, and arts communities. Next: October 2015
#7 Media & Literary Event (up from #8)
The 2015 award gala attracted 600 guests, the largest attendance to date, at the Fairmont Royal York. The CJF Tribute, honoring a Canadian for his or her international media impact, was Malcolm Gladwell, author and staff writer at The New Yorker. Next: June 2016
#8 Media & Literary Event (up from #9)
The invitation-only event brought together 350 literary notables at the Distillery District for dinner and dancing to a theme of Under the Sea. Two poets—one Canadian and one international—were each awarded $65,000 for their work. Next: June 2016
#9 Media & Literary Event (up from #11)
The Canadian Journalists for Free Expression gala is expected to draw 500 politically conscious journalists and supporters for a dinner at the Fairmont Royal York. Sponsors for 2014 included Scotiabank, CTV, and CBC News. Next: December 2, 2015
