For two decades, the Polaris Music Prize has been one of Canada’s most trusted measures of musical artistry. Founded in 2006, its mandate was and has remained simple but bold: reward artistic merit above all else – regardless of genre, sales or record label.
The Prize, first awarded in 2006, has elevated hundreds of artists, spotlighting not just big names but voices at the margins, those pushing boundaries, experimenting and redefining what Canadian music can be, with past winners including Haviah Mighty (who played host this year), Kaytranada and Tanya Tagaq.
This year proved to be no exception. On Tuesday evening at Toronto’s Massey Hall, Montreal rock artist Yves Jarvis was awarded the 2025 Polaris Prize for his album All Cylinders, securing the main album prize of $30,000. And for the newly inaugurated SOCAN Polaris Song Prize, folk poet Mustafa took home $10,000 for his song Gaza Is Calling.
As Polaris celebrates 20 years, the Globe asked a handful of this year’s nominees – plus Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize winner Jane Siberry – about their hopes for the Prize’s future.
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[“I’d love to see the Prize televised; I know it’s live-streaming this year, but so it has that platform and people around the world can see it. And it would be cool if there were more than one award and a variety of categories; everyone deserves a little recognition. “],
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[“I hope that it’s still around in 20 years. The Polaris Prize is so needed in a world where streaming numbers and popularity are the most lauded thing about an artist. Because this prize is based on merit, it’s so important and vital for musicians, and creates a place to be able to be recognized like no other. “],
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[“We want to see as much diversity as possible in the nominees, and for recognition to continue to be based on the artistry. Musicians like us don’t often have opportunities like these; it’s an amazing innovation and knowing that it’s also about discovering music is so important and a message worth preserving. “],
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[“To see us win 20 times in a row, for all our old records, our new records! But seriously, we would love to see the Prize continue to champion the artist, and for music to be judged for the art alone. We need institutions like this to preserve the work. “]
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[“To stay real, anti-AI. We know that the music industry and the way music is made is going to change. And we’re not gatekeeping; you need advanced technology, for sure. But we are making use with what we have, and we’re making connection as is. We want the Polaris Prize to stay in that plane of connection, to stay in touch with the artist. “],
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[“In general, 20 years from now, I hope people have more consciousness about all the atrocities and genocide going on in the world, not only in Canada, and within the context of the Prize or not. I hope we live a cycle of human life that is less bloody than what it is right now, with less volatile corruption. And I hope that artists will remain strong and independent about what their message is and what they want to talk about. I hope that there are no silenced voices, and artists are still able to speak up, because I feel like art is a vessel for questioning and a valuable platform. “],
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[“They’re already doing a fantastic job in working to bring all artists a stage. The only addition I hope to see is a statement, at the end, where they clarify only some artists have been honoured, but there are more to discover. I don’t like playing favourites, do you? “]
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