After an intense and compelling four-day discussion, Tegan Quin emerged victorious in the 2026 edition of Canada Reads. The book she advocated for, “The Cure for Drowning” by Loghan Paylor, managed to survive the elimination vote on April 16.
Canada Reads features five Canadian celebrities who each choose a book that they believe all Canadians should read. Over the span of four days, they debate their selections and vote to eliminate one book daily until only one remains as the winner.
Tegan Quin, a musician and writer from the band Tegan and Sara, successfully argued that “The Cure for Drowning” best exemplifies the theme of “one book to build bridges.” The novel follows Kit McNair, born Kathleen to an Irish farming family in Ontario, as they navigate societal expectations and a complicated love triangle during wartime.
Throughout the week, Quin passionately defended why “The Cure for Drowning” should be a must-read for all Canadians, emphasizing its ability to offer diverse perspectives and promote understanding.
Loghan Paylor, the author of “The Cure for Drowning,” expressed immense joy at winning Canada Reads, especially in a year focused on fostering connections amid societal divisions. Paylor highlighted the book’s role in bringing people together and enhancing empathy in challenging times.
“The Cure for Drowning” triumphed over the runner-up, “Searching for Terry Punchout” by Tyler Hellard, in a 4-1 vote on the final day of the competition. Despite the strong competition, Quin’s compelling advocacy and personal connection to the characters in Paylor’s novel resonated with the audience.
Paylor, an Ontario-born author based in British Columbia, holds an MA in creative writing and has received accolades for their literary work. Their debut novel has garnered critical acclaim and was longlisted for prestigious literary prizes.
The 2026 Canada Reads winner, Tegan Quin, brought a compassionate and relatable perspective to the debates, emphasizing the universal themes of identity and personal struggle depicted in “The Cure for Drowning.” Quin’s genuine appreciation for the characters and storyline in the novel struck a chord with the audience.
The event was hosted by Ali Hassan, and the other contenders and their selected books included Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers with “A Minor Chorus” by Billy-Ray Belcourt, Steve (Dangle) Glynn with “Searching for Terry Punchout” by Tyler Hellard, Josh Dela Cruz with “Foe” by Iain Reid, and Morgann Book with “It’s Different This Time” by Joss Richard.
