Text to Speech Icon

Listen to this article

Estimated 3 minutes

The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.

Canada Reads 2026, which takes place April 13 to 16, will be hosted by Ali Hassan. The show’s theme this year is one book to build bridges.

The debates will be broadcast each day at 10:05 a.m. (11:05 a.m. AT, 1:35 p.m. NT) on CBC Radio, with a live audio stream and podcast recap on CBC Listen. Watch live at 10:05 a.m. ET/ 7:05 a.m. PT on CBC Gem, CBC Books and YouTube, or at 1:05 p.m. (2:05 p.m. AT, 2:35 p.m. NT) on CBC TV.

Here are all the ways you can tune in.

ONLINE: CBC Books will livestream the debates at 10:05 a.m. ET on CBC Books, YouTube and CBC Gem.

The debates will be available to replay online each day. The livestream on YouTube will be available to watch outside Canada. 

If you’d rather listen to the debates online, they will air live on CBC Listen. A replay will be available later each day.

ON RADIO: Canada Reads will air on CBC Radio at 10:05 a.m. in the Eastern, Central, Mountain and Pacific time zones. 

It will air at 11:05 a.m. in Nunavut, the Maritimes, 1:05 p.m. in Labrador and at 1:35 p.m. in Newfoundland.

The debates will replay at 9 p.m. local time in all time zones, except in Newfoundland, where they will replay at 9:30 p.m.

ON TV: CBC TV will broadcast Canada Reads at 1 p.m. in the Eastern, Central, Mountain and Pacific time zones. It will air at 2 p.m. in the Atlantic time zone and at 2:30 p.m in the Newfoundland time zone.

PODCAST: The episode will be posted each day after the live airing. You can download the episodes on the podcast app of your choice.

The Canada Reads 2026 contenders are:

Teachers, bookstores, community groups and librarians can order a Canada Reads poster here. Teachers will be able to check out the resources at Curio.ca to bring Canada Reads into the classroom.