Mae Martin to Host The 2026 JUNO Awards, Daniel Caesar to Perform and Receive International Achievement Award, and William Prince to Perform, Live on CBC
Billy Talent named Humanitarian Award recipients and Alexander Mair, Sandy Pandya and Vinny Cinquemani set to receive Walt Grealis Special Achievement Awards Presented by Slaight Music
First round of JUNOfest Presented by CBC performers announced
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TORONTO, ON, January 15, 2026 — The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and CBC today announced this year’s host and additional special award recipients taking part in the 55th Annual JUNO Awards, live from TD Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario and broadcasting/streaming nationwide on CBC and CBC Gem.
Acclaimed comedian, actor, singer-songwriter, podcast host, and writer Mae Martin will host Canada’s Biggest Night in Music. Mae brings their signature wit and celebrated voice to the JUNOS stage following a standout period across comedy, music, television and cultural commentary. Known for blending humour with insight, Mae adds a fresh and distinctive perspective to the 2026 Broadcast.
“We are thrilled to have Mae Martin host the 55th JUNO Awards in Hamilton,” said Allan Reid, President and CEO, CARAS. “Mae brings a sharp, original voice to the JUNOS stage, and alongside honouring Daniel Caesar with the International Achievement Award, recognizing Billy Talent and our Walt Grealis recipients, and announcing the first wave of JUNOfest performers, this marks an exciting start to JUNO Week in Hamilton.”
Martin says, “I’m unbelievably honoured to be hosting The JUNOS this year. Canada’s biggest night in music! No pressure, just decades of iconic artists. The JUNOS have always been about celebrating artists who are bold, genre-defying, and unafraid to be a little weird, so I’ll try to embody those qualities as your host! Getting to celebrate Canadian artists on this scale feels so thrilling and a little surreal. Thanks to The JUNOS for trusting me with this!”
Multi-platinum global star Daniel Caesar will be honoured with the International Achievement Award and will also take the JUNOS stage for a special performance. Daniel Caesar’s International Achievement Award recognizes his global impact as one of Canada’s most influential contemporary artists. With chart-topping releases, international touring, and worldwide acclaim, Caesar continues to elevate Canadian music on the global stage.
William Prince will also take The JUNO Awards stage, bringing his powerful songwriting and unmistakable voice to the 55th Annual JUNO Awards. Known for his deeply personal storytelling and roots influenced sound, Prince has become one of Canada’s most respected contemporary artists, earning critical acclaim and multiple JUNO Awards for his work.
Celebrating outstanding contributions both on and off the stage at the JUNO Awards Gala Presented by Music Canada on Saturday, March 28, Billy Talent will be recognized with the Humanitarian Award, honouring the band’s long standing commitment to philanthropy and community impact. Industry leaders, the late Alexander Mair, Sandy Pandya and Vinny Cinquemani will each receive the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award Presented by Slaight Music, recognizing their significant and lasting influence on the Canadian music industry.
In addition to the Broadcast announcements, the first round of performers has been revealed for JUNOfest Presented by CBC, the multi-venue festival that transforms the host city into a hub for live Canadian music throughout JUNO Week. Artists announced include Amelia Maxwell, Ammoye, Bells Larsen, Billianne, Burs, Cam Kahin, Carrie Clark, Computer, cootie catcher, Dumb Crush, Ebril, Falls for the Elderly, Feura, GRAE, Ivy Gardens, JayWood, Jordan Astra, Kali Horse, Katie Tupper, Lindsay Schoolcraft, LU KALA, Mattie Leon, Myst Milano, Nicolette & The Nobodies, poolblood, Puma June, Rachel Bobbitt, Ralph Nyoni, Shawnee Kish, Silverstein, Sister Ray, Status/Non-Status, Superstar Crush, Tedy and Ten Minute Detour.
Several of the artists announced for JUNOfest Presented by CBC have strong ties to the Hamilton music community, including Ralph Nyoni, Superstar Crush, Ivy Gardens, Burs, Carrie Clark, Mattie Leon, Ten Minute Detour, Nicolette & The Nobodies and Silverstein, marking a hometown moment for many performers during JUNO Week in Hamilton.
Additional performers, presenters and JUNO Week programming will be announced in the coming months.
The 55th Annual JUNO Awards, produced by Insight Productions (A Blue Ant Studios Company), will air live across Canada at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, CBC Listen, and stream globally at CBCMusic.ca/junos and on CBC Music’s YouTube channel.
For more information, visit junoawards.ca, and for tickets to Canada’s Biggest Night in Music visit ticketmaster.ca/junos.
Mae Martin to host The JUNO Awards in Hamilton
Mae Martin
Mae Martin is an award-winning comedian, producer, writer, actor, podcast host, and singer-songwriter.
Most recently, Mae created, co-show ran, starred in, wrote for, and executive produced the limited series WAYWARD, which launched on Netflix in September 2025, following its world
premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Also starring Toni Collette, WAYWARD is set in a seemingly pleasant yet sinister town and explores the dark underbelly of the troubled
teen industry. The series debuted as Netflix’s most -watched TV series globally with 8.2 million views in the first week and critical acclaim.
Up next, Mae will embark on a North American stand-up tour in 2026. Beloved for their comedy, Mae’s first special DOPE was nominated for “Best Comedy Show” at the prestigious
Edinburgh Comedy Awards. The show was released as a stand-up special for Netflix as part of the global series, COMEDIANS OF THE WORLD. Mae’s follow up stand-up special SAP,
directed by Abbi Jacobson, debuted on Netflix in 2023 to positive reviews, earning a JUNO Award nomination for ‘Comedy Album of the Year.’
Mae released their debut music album, I’m A TV, globally through Universal Music Canada on February 27, 2025, which marked a new chapter in Mae’s creative endeavours. The album, written entirely by Mae, is an indie rock expression of hazy, millennial nostalgia. An authentic extension of their artistry in a new creative medium, I’m A TV allowed Mae to share their experiences and perspective without the pressure to find a punchline.
Mae presently co-hosts the hit comedy podcast HANDSOME, which was acquired by the Headgum podcast network, alongside Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster. HANDSOME showcases Mae’s quick humour and unique perspective, and the podcast engages listeners globally with candid discussions on life, comedy, and identity.
International Achievement Award Recipient
Daniel Caesar
The JUNO International Achievement Award looks to honour Canadian talent who have not only topped charts, but who have raised the profile of Canadian music around the world, something Daniel Caesar has achieved through his strong international success. Since emerging as a defining voice in modern R&B, Caesar has built a successful international career marked by critical acclaim and deep cultural connection with his fans. His breakthrough album Freudian achieved, double platinum certification in Canada, platinum certification in the United States and even further established his worldwide recognition. He reached new global heights with “Peaches,” his chart topping collaboration with Justin Bieber, which debuted at No. 1 internationally and became one of the most streamed songs of its year. Caesar’s most recent release, Son of Spergy, debuted in the top five on the Billboard 200 and at number one on the Billboard R&B Album Chart, marking his highest-charting body of work yet and first US Top 10 album. The album highlights himself in the pursuit of purer, healthier relationships. Son Of Spergy is a defining step towards that goal. With a devoted and growing audience across key international markets, Daniel Caesar continues to elevate Canadian music globally through his distinct voice and artistic vision.
William Prince to take the Broadcast Stage
William Prince
Expansive and declarative, William Prince’s new album, Further From the Country, is the work of an artist who meets the challenge of putting incisive and enduring words to this age of uncertainty. William Prince’s perspective – a songwriter who carries great legacies of family and songcraft forward – is singular and significant. Further From the Country, his fifth LP, is an extraordinary work of observation and reflection that will leave its mark on listeners for its humanity and its potency.
The two-time JUNO Award-winning artist continues to build an exceptional body of acclaimed work, with recent accolades including the John Prine Songwriter Fellowship, Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour and Americana Honors & Awards nomination. From Newport Folk Festival to sold out shows at prestigious theatres including Massey Hall, from NPR’s Tiny Desk to tours with The War and Treaty, Yola and more, William Prince has made significant appearances on historic stages. Celebrated by peers, critics and fans, William Prince’s songs resonate on deep emotional levels.
Now, with Further From the Country, Prince expands his sound and sharpens his focus for a collection of songs that share personal and universal truths alike.
Humanitarian Award Recipient
Billy Talent
Billy Talent is being recognized with the Humanitarian Award for their deeply rooted and long standing commitment to social impact, philanthropy and community support, a commitment that has been a part of the band’s ethos since their earliest days. From their first performances at their high school raising food for local food banks, the band has consistently used their platform to support causes both in Canada and around the world. Over nearly three decades, Billy Talent has maintained a significant and sustained relationship with organizations including Make Music Matter, War Child and MS Canada, contributing time, resources and creative leadership to initiatives supporting children affected by conflict, communities impacted by trauma, and young people living with multiple sclerosis. Through benefit concerts, ticket surcharges, royalty donations, dedicated fundraising initiatives such as F.U.M.S., advocacy, and hands-on participation, the band’s efforts have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and generated global awareness for humanitarian causes. Their work reflects a genuine belief in the power of music to create connection, inspire action and drive meaningful change, embodying the spirit of the JUNO Humanitarian Award.
Walt Grealis Special Award Recipients
Alexander Mair
Canadian industry trailblazer Alexander Mair is one of the most significant figures in the history of the country’s music industry. After a period as business manager of Gordon Lightfoot, he co-founded Attic Records with Tom Williams, which became the largest and most successful independent record company in Canadian history. Attic launched the careers of dozens of Canadian artists, and Mr. Mair’s extensive international contacts supported artists in finding success in Canada and, in many cases, reaching even wider audiences internationally.
In addition to his successful business career, Mr. Mair has played a prominent role in a wide variety of Canadian music industry associations, volunteering his considerable expertise to more than half a dozen vital organizations.
He played a major role in building the basic infrastructure of an industry that was in its infancy until the implementation of the Canadian content regulations. In fact, Mair — as the business manager of an iconic Canadian artist and as a member of the board of Canada’s leading performing rights society — played an important role in urging the passage of what has become known as “CanCon.”
Sandy Pandya
Accomplished careers in the music industry are often abridged to pivotal moments, but real legacies are built in between the highlights. For Sandy Pandya, an admired and formidable music executive, entrepreneur, and artist advocate, that legacy has been shaped over more than 25 years of sustained leadership and impact. A proud Canadian of Gujarati heritage, Pandya has helped shape modern artist management by combining sharp business strategy with a deeply artist-first ethos. Her scene-building instincts, shaped by family and community, have informed every chapter of her career, guiding decisions that continue to resonate across generations of artists and creators.
For Pandya, there is no shortage of top-tier achievements, including gold records, chart toppers, and countless awards. These successes span decades, genres, and markets, from Toronto’s 1990s indie scene to today’s global, viral-driven music landscape. From promoter to indie label and major, artist manager to independent founder and industry collaborator, her career reflects both the courage to make decisions and the experience to make the right ones.
A short list of the Pandyamonium management roster, which included The Waltons, Lowest of the Low, Hayden, Hawksley Workman, Jully Black, Serena Ryder, Doc McKinney, Tegan and Sara, and TALK, reflects Pandya’s keen sense of talent, potential, timing, and long-term development. Known for landmark negotiations that expanded what was possible for Canadian talent, her advocacy helped set new precedents beyond traditional label deals, advancing creative, artist-forward structures that balance ambition with sustainability. Her definitive role, artist manager, is one she has embodied with passion, determination, and drive.
At the heart of Pandya’s management philosophy is a commitment to artist development and creative expression balanced alongside personal well-being and mental health, principles she championed long before wellness became a central industry conversation. That commitment continues today through ArtHaus, her Toronto-based creative ecosystem integrating management, label, publishing, and nonprofit initiatives, and through SAMA, the South Asian Music Accelerator she launched in 2025 to support Canadian artists of South Asian heritage. Inspired by a lifelong belief in mentorship, access, and community, Pandya remains as influential a force in the music industry today as she has been in every era that preceded it. Giving back and giving forward, Sandy Pandya is an impressive and impassioned citizen of the music industry, a true champion of artists.
Vinny Cinquemani
Few individuals have shaped the live music industry in Canada as profoundly as Vinny Cinquemani. Often credited with bringing Canadian artists to the forefront, Cinquemani, the Co-President of Paquin Artist Agency, has been instrumental in creating opportunities for domestic talent, helping them achieve recognition at home and beyond.
A fierce negotiator and a master strategist, Cinquemani is celebrated for his ability to devise long-term career trajectories for artists while delivering exceptional results for his artists. His dedication to excellence is evident in his attention to detail, whether evaluating a deal’s nuances or ensuring his clients’ visions are realized. Cinquemani’s accolades underscore his impact: he has been named Canadian Booking Agent of the Year 10 times at the Canadian Music Industry Awards and twice received Performance Magazine’s International Agent/Promoter of the Year honour. In 2024, and 2025, he was voted the #1 Agency/Agent in Billboard’s Top 100 Power Players in Canada and also voted one of Billboard’s top Global Power Players in 2025.
His illustrious roster reads like a who’s who of Canadian and international talent, including Bryan Adams, Michael Bublé, Jann Arden, Simple Plan, Johnny Reid, Amanda Marshall, The Offspring, Tom Cochrane, David Foster, and Kim Mitchell, among others. He has also worked as an agent with Rush for 40 years, Triumph, Burton Cummings, Anne Murray, Sarah McLachlan, The Parachute Club, and numerous other artists.
Vinny Cinquemani’s career is a testament to his visionary leadership, unwavering dedication to artists, and his monumental impact on the Canadian and international music landscapes.
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Get closer to Canada’s Biggest Week in Music! Download the JUNO Week App today for event schedules and real-time updates.
Web Links:
Official JUNO Awards website: www.junoawards.ca
Official Mae Martin website: www.maemartin.net
Official Daniel Caesar website: danielcaesar.com
Official William Prince website: www.williamprincemusic.com
Official Billy Talent website: www.billytalent.com
Social Media:
Instagram: @TheJUNOAwards / X: @TheJUNOAwards / Facebook: @TheJUNOAwards / TikTok: TheJUNOAwards / Hashtag: #JUNOS
Mae Martin: @hooraymae / X: @TheMaeMartin / Facebook: @maemartincomedy
Daniel Caesar: @danielcaesar / Facebook: @DanielCaesar
Billy Talent: @billytalentband / X: @billytalentband / Facebook: @billytalent / TikTok: @billytalent
William Prince: @williamprince / X: @williamprince / Facebook: @WilliamPrince
Exclusive Broadcast and Content Partner:
CARAS acknowledges the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada, and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters.
Premier Sponsor: TD Bank Group
Lead Sponsors: Skip, SiriusXM Canada, and Nissan Canada
Funding Partners: Music Canada, Province of Ontario, City of Hamilton, Tourism Hamilton, and Canadian Starmarker Fund
About CARAS
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) is a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and enhance the Canadian music industry and promote higher artistic and industry standards. CARAS’ mandate is comprised of four key pillars: Educate through our music education charity, MusiCounts, programs and initiatives; Develop emerging artists through mentorship and development programs; Celebrate Canadian artists with year-round JUNO Awards showcasing; and Honour music industry icons through the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. The 55th annual JUNO Awards Broadcast will take place in Hamilton at TD Coliseum on Sunday, March 29, 2026. For more information on the JUNO Awards or The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), please visit www.junoawards.ca.
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages: Dëne Sųłıné, Dene Kǝdǝ́, Dene Zhatıé, Eastern Cree, Dinjii Zhuʼ Ginjik, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun and Tłı̨chǫ. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi and Tagalog, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.
About CBC Music
CBC Music is the leading curator of emerging and diverse Canadian music talent across platforms, playing the most Canadian artists and genres on radio, CBC Listen and cbcmusic.ca. We prioritize Canadian artists in a wide variety of genres on over 200 playlists available on CBC Listen, and publish daily national music coverage. CBC Music Live features live music recordings from across the country. Our music partnerships and events include The JUNO Awards, the Polaris Music Prize, CBC Music Presents: Live at Massey Hall and The Canadian Music Class Challenge.
Slaight Music
Slaight Music was established in 2011 by Allan and Gary Slaight (Allan Slaight is known as Canada’s broadcast pioneer, music leader and a prominent Canadian philanthropist), with a mandate to support the Canadian music community through a variety of initiatives and to develop Canadian talent via strategic partnerships with industry peers. Slaight Music works with artists from across the country and the musical spectrum, helping to further careers and get great music heard. Think of Slaight Music as an artist incubator, committed to fostering the ideal conditions for maximum creativity…Developing and aligning talent with key players, decision-makers and influencers via multiple initiatives designed to bring forward the best of today’s young, yet-to-be-discovered artists.
About Insight Productions (A Blue Ant Studios Company)
Insight Productions, known for its award-winning ratings juggernauts, is Canada’s most established content producer and an industry leader in the development, financing, and production of hit programming. Insight Senior Vice President Lindsay Cox serves as Executive Producer – alongside Insight’s Chair, CEO, and Executive Producer John Brunton, on The 2026 JUNO Awards. The company has created some of the most dynamic and top-rated programs including 12 seasons of Big Brother Canada – the most watched reality program across specialty channels in Canada and hit programs including The Amazing Race Canada, the most watched Canadian series on record; original formats Battle of the Blades and The Launch; Top Chef Canada; Stronger Together/Tous Ensemble (the largest multi-platform broadcast and highest viewed non-sporting broadcast in Canadian television history); The JUNO Awards, Canada’s New Year’s Eve: Countdown; and The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration, a live concert special on CBC watched by one in three Canadians. Recent collaborations include a strategic production partnership with Groupe Fair-Play to develop and produce English and French-language programming, The Legacy Awards with The Black Academy and Every Child Matters: Reconciliation Through Education with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Insight Productions was founded in 1979 and has since created thousands of hours of ground-breaking content. For more information, please visit InsightTV.com, @insightprod on X, and Facebook.
Media Contacts:
JUNOS: Amandine Lucas, [email protected]
CBC: Teaghan Hawke, [email protected]