The Al Purdy A-frame Association (APAFA) is pleased to announce the longlist for the 2026 Al and Eurithe Purdy Poetry Prize, celebrating some of the most distinguished voices in contemporary Canadian poetry and honouring the enduring legacy of one of Canada’s most beloved poets. The shortlist will be revealed on April 2, and the winner will be announced on April 21, 2026, marking the 26th anniversary of Al Purdy’s passing.

Established in 2024 by his widow, Eurithe Purdy, the $10,000 prize recognizes the most outstanding new poetry book published by an established Canadian poet who has published five or more books of poetry. The award celebrates literary excellence while highlighting the strength and vitality of Canadian poetry today. As Mrs. Purdy remarked, “It is wonderful to see these excellent writers carrying on with unwavering dedication to the cause of poetry.”

The jurors for the 2026 award include previous prize winners Sid Marty and A.F. Moritz, along with acclaimed poet Susan Musgrave, bringing together three distinct voices whose work reflects the range of Canadian poetry. Commenting on the process, Musgrave said: “Al’s permanent voice overrides my own, as always: say the names/as if they were your soul/a soul you mislaid/and found again rejoicing. On this wild rumpus of a longlist, ten bold names. Let the rejoicing begin!”

The list of poets in alphabetical order:

Seeing Things by George Amabile (Signature Editions)
th book uv lost passwords 1 by bill bissett (Talonbooks)
Frayed Linens by Marilyn Bowering (Exile Editions)
I Would Like to Say Thank You by Joseph Dandurand (Nightwood Editions)
What is Broken Binds Us by Lorne Daniel (University of Calgary Press)
Parade of Storms by Evelyn Lau (Anvil Press)
Wellwater by Karen Solie (House of Anansi Press)
An Orange, A Syllable by Gillian Sze (ECW Press)
On The News that Sagittarius A* Grows Hungrier by Nicola Vulpe (Guernica Editions)
Out of the Ordinary by Tom Wayman (Harbour Publishing)

For more information about the Al and Eurithe Purdy Poetry Prize,
visit the Al Purdy A-Frame Association website or contact
Fernanda Viveiros at prizecoordinator@shaw.ca.