Griffin Poetry Prize reinstates Canadian award, keeps larger international purse

Publisher-philanthropist Scott Griffin is shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Joy von Tiedemann (Mandatory Credit)

TORONTO — The Griffin Poetry Prize is bringing back its Canada-specific award — and keeping the $130,000 international prize in place.

The move resolves a quiet conflict within Canada’s poetry scene that began when prize benefactor Scott Griffin combined what used to be two separate categories for homegrown and international talent into a single purse.

The Griffin Trust says the Canadian Poetry Prize will be reinstated with its original value of $65,000, and the international prize will stay at $130,000.

Prize administrators say Canadian poets will also be eligible for the international prize, but the same poet cannot win both awards in a single year.

Administrators say that if a Canadian wins the international prize, a different book will be selected for the Canadian award.

The move follows an online consultation and a town hall that prize organizers launched when no Canadian poets made the long list this year.

The Griffin also says a three-panel jury will always include a Canadian, and the long list of 12 books will feature Canadian representation.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2026.

Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press