What Is 1985 Governor General's Awards

Overview

The 1985 Governor General's Awards celebrated outstanding Canadian creative works published during the previous year. Administered by the Canada Council for the Arts, these awards are among the country's most prestigious literary honors, recognizing excellence in English and French-language literature.

The ceremony took place on November 21, 1985, in Ottawa, presided over by Governor General Jeanne Sauvé. Winners were selected by independent juries from a pool of submissions by publishers and authors, with categories spanning fiction, poetry, drama, and non-fiction.

• Eligibility period: Works had to be published between January 1 and December 31, 1984, to qualify for the 1985 awards.
• Categories: A total of 14 categories were recognized, split between English and French language works in literature and non-fiction.
• Prize value: Each winner received $10,000 and a specially minted silver medal commemorating the honor.
• Jury process: Independent panels of three experts evaluated submissions anonymously, emphasizing literary merit and originality.
• Historical context: The 1985 awards occurred during a resurgence of Canadian national identity in the arts, following the 1982 repatriation of the Constitution.

How It Works

The Governor General's Awards follow a structured annual process to identify and honor Canada’s top literary achievements. Publishers and authors submit eligible works, which are then reviewed by specialized juries.

• Term: The 1985 awards honored books published in 1984. Each winner was announced in the fall of 1985 and formally recognized at a ceremony.
• Submission deadline: Publishers had to submit entries by March 31, 1985, ensuring all works were available for jury review by mid-year.
• Jury composition: Each category had a jury of three literary experts, including authors, critics, and academics, appointed by the Canada Council.
• Selection criteria: Works were judged on originality, language, structure, and thematic depth, with no consideration for commercial success.
• Language separation: English and French works competed in separate categories to ensure equitable recognition across Canada’s linguistic divide.
• Non-fiction inclusion: Categories included History, Literary Criticism, and General Non-fiction, reflecting the breadth of Canadian scholarship and narrative writing.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1985 Governor General's Awards compared across major literary categories:

The table highlights the diversity of genres recognized and the consistent prize structure across categories. While fiction and poetry drew the most public attention, non-fiction and children’s literature were equally honored, underscoring the awards’ commitment to broad literary excellence.

Why It Matters

The 1985 Governor General's Awards played a vital role in shaping Canada’s cultural landscape by validating homegrown talent and encouraging literary innovation. Recognition often led to increased sales, translations, and academic attention for winning works.

• Author recognition: Winning elevated authors like Margaret Atwood to greater national and international prominence, boosting their publishing careers.
• Market impact: Sales of winning books typically increased by 300–500% in the months following the announcement.
• Educational influence: Award-winning titles were frequently adopted into university and high school curricula across Canada.
• Cultural legacy: The 1985 awards helped cement Canadian literature as a distinct and respected field within global literary studies.
• Support for publishers: Independent Canadian publishers benefited from the exposure, helping sustain small presses during a competitive era.
• Historical documentation: The winning non-fiction works, such as Creighton’s biography, became key references in Canadian historical scholarship.

By honoring diverse voices and genres, the 1985 awards reinforced the importance of artistic expression in national identity and continue to influence how Canadian literature is perceived today.