Career-high six nominations for both Justin Bieber and Tate McRae, a breakout year with five nominations for Cameron Whitcomb, five nominations for The Weeknd, and a historic new category mark a milestone year for Canada’s Biggest Night in Music
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TORONTO – January 27, 2026 – The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) today unveiled the nominees for the 55th Annual JUNO Awards, marking a defining year that spans global superstardom, breakthrough success, and a historic recognition of Canada’s dynamic and diverse music ecosystem. In total, this year’s cohort of nominees includes 248 nominations across 47 categories. The winners will be revealed on stage in Hamilton, Ontario at The JUNO Awards Gala Presented by Music Canada on Saturday, March 28th, and The JUNO Awards Broadcast at TD Coliseum on Sunday, March 29th, live nationwide on CBC and CBC Gem and globally on CBC Music’s YouTube channel.
Leading this year’s nominations are Justin Bieber and Tate McRae, with six nominations each — the most nominations received in a single JUNO Awards season for both artists. Close behind, Cameron Whitcomb and The Weeknd earn five nominations apiece. For Whitcomb, the nods mark a striking JUNO Awards debut, propelling the rising artist into top categories alongside some of the country’s most established names.
“The JUNO Awards showcase the best of Canada’s music and the powerful role culture plays in driving tourism and economic growth,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “Ontario is proud to support events that celebrate our artists, attract visitors and highlight our province as a leading destination for live entertainment and cultural experiences.”
Together, this year’s leading artists span pop, R&B, rock, and country, underscoring the diversity of Canadian music and its continued impact at home and around the world.
For a complete list and bios of all nominees, please visit junoawards.ca.
A Year of Milestones and Momentum
8-time JUNO Award winner Justin Bieber leads the nominees with six nods, adding to his 32 career JUNO Award nominations, including Single of the Year Presented by Sunrise Records for “Daisies.” The nominations mark a career-high JUNOS moment for the global superstar, underscoring his continued evolution and enduring influence as one of Canada’s most successful artists worldwide.
Tate McRae adds to her 17 JUNO Award nominations, earning an additional six nominations, building on last year’s multiple wins with a year defined by chart success, global touring, and artistic growth. Her career-high total further cements her place among Canada’s most dynamic artists on the international stage.
Following his two wins at the Canadian Country Music Awards, Cameron Whitcomb delivers one of the standout stories of the year making his TD JUNOS Debut with five nominations, spanning TD JUNO Fan Choice, Single of the Year Presented by Sunrise Records, Album of the Year Presented by Music Canada, Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year Presented by FACTOR, the Government of Canada and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters, and Country Album of the Year. His rapid rise marks a defining moment in a fast-accelerating career.
The Weeknd earns five nominations this year, adding to an extraordinary JUNO Awards legacy that includes 22 wins and 46 total nominations, making him one of the most celebrated artists in JUNOS history. His latest recognition reflects a career defined by global success and creative ambition, reinforcing his position as one of Canada’s most influential artists whose work continues to resonate with audiences globally.
Daniel Caesar earns four nominations this year, and will take The JUNO Awards stage as both a performer and the recipient of The International Achievement Award, recognizing his global impact and continued international success. He is joined on the broadcast by The Beaches, five-time JUNO Award winners and nominees, whose momentum continues to build following their 2025 Group of the Year win. Six-time JUNO Award winner Jessie Reyez, also earns three nominations this year, being recognized again this year for her continued creative output and impact within Canadian music.
A Historic First for The JUNO Awards
This year also marks a milestone in JUNOS history with the introduction of Latin Music Recording of the Year, recognizing the growing influence and creative excellence of Latin music in Canada. The inaugural nominees – two-time winner and seven-time JUNO nominee Alex Cuba, two-time nominee Lido Pimienta, and first-time nominees Andy Rubal, Isabella Lovestory, and Mario Puglia – represent a range of sounds and voices shaping the genre today, capturing a distinctly Canadian perspective that sets them apart within the global Latin Music landscape.
Where it All Begins: Honouring Music Teachers
MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity associated with CARAS/The JUNO Awards, also announced the five nominees for the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, presented by Anthem Entertainment. The winner of the award, which recognizes excellence in music education, will be announced at The JUNO Awards and will take home a JUNO statuette, a $10,000 cash prize, and a MusiCounts grant for their school’s music program. The nominees are Zeda Ali from Sunny View Middle School in Brampton, ON; Lynn Harper from Chateauguay Valley Regional High School in Ormstown, QC; Alex Hutcheon from Cremona School in Cremona, AB; Isabelle Lemieux from École Caps-des-Neiges in Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges, QC; and Raquel McIntosh from Adelaide Hoodless Elementary School in Hamilton, ON.
Returning to Hamilton and Honouring Legacy
With The JUNO Awards returning to Hamilton, several nominees are being recognized in their hometown, including 2025 Country Album of the Year winner Josh Ross, from Waterdown, ON, who earns four nominations following a breakout year that included a JUNOS win and a broadcast performance. Also receiving recognition are Hamilton’s eight-time JUNO Award winner, 17-time nominee, and Canadian Music Hall of Fame Inductee Daniel Lanois (Album Artwork of the Year) and first-time nominees Brendan Joseph Murphy of Counterparts (Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year).
Adding to the year’s intergenerational lineup, 2026 Canadian Music Hall of Fame Inductee and 10-time JUNO Award winner Nelly Furtado is nominated in Pop Album of the Year Presented by Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0 for her seventh album, 7. This latest project marks her 22nd JUNO Award nomination.
As a national organization, CARAS also recognizes the depth and diversity of Canadian music. Francophone Album of the Year nominees, Ariane Roy, Fredz, JF Pauze, Lou-Adriane Cassidy and Pierre Lapointe reflect the continued strength and creative range of French-language music in Canada. Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year Presented by Destination Indigenous nominees Aysanabee, Sebastian Gaskin, Shawnee Kish, Siibii and Tia Wood represent powerful voices shaping Indigenous music today, honouring storytelling, culture and artistic excellence.
Altogether, The 2026 JUNO Awards will recognize 65 artists making their TD JUNOS Debut with inaugural nominations, underscoring a year defined by both legacy and emergence across Canada’s music landscape.
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, CBCMusic.ca/junos and stream globally on CBC Music’s YouTube channel.
*Award Sponsors for The 2026 JUNO Awards include: Album of the Year Presented by Music Canada, Artist of the Year Presented by SiriusXM Canada, Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year Presented by FACTOR The Government of Canada and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters, Comedy Album of the Year Presented by SiriusXM Canada, Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year Presented by Destination Indigenous, Electronic Album of the Year Presented by Nissan, Group of the Year Presented by SiriusXM Canada, Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Presented by Audio-Technica Canada, Pop Album of the Year Presented by Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0, Rock Album of the Year Presented by Long & McQuade Musical Instruments, Single of the Year Presented by Sunrise Records, Songwriter of the Year Presented by SOCAN, Songwriter of the Year (Non-Performer) Presented by SOCAN, TD JUNO Fan Choice +++
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Web Links:
Official JUNO Awards website: www.junoawards.ca
Social Media:
Instagram: @TheJUNOAwards / X: @TheJUNOAwards / Facebook: @TheJUNOAwards /
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
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 Insight Productions (A Blue Ant Studios Company)
Insight Productions is Canada’s most established content producer and an industry leader in the development, financing, and production of hit programming. For The 2026 JUNO Awards, Insight Co-Chief Content Officer Lindsay Cox serves as EP, Showrunner & Creative Producer alongside Insight’s Chair, CEO, and Executive Producer John Brunton. The 2026 JUNOs mark Cox’s 25th edition and Brunton’s 31st. Insight counts live event and music programming among its many specialties – The JUNOS; Stronger Together/Tous Ensemble (the highest viewed non-sporting broadcast in Canadian television history); Canada’s New Year’s Eve: Countdown; and CBC’s The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration (watched by one in three Canadians) are some of Cox’s many music specials and among Insight’s most-watched shows. Insight’s most recent production is Canada Shore for Paramount+ Canada. 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: [email protected]