FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Toronto, May 25, 2026—The Editors’ Association of Canada (Editors Canada) has presented 6 national awards, including $8,150 in prizes. Editors Canada’s annual awards recognize exceptional editors for their talent and dedication.
The association supports the professional development of editors throughout their careers, and is proud to honour the outstanding editors and students in its midst. The cash awards are made possible by Editors Canada and its generous donors.
Tom Fairley Award for Editorial Excellence
Lisa Frenette (Mississauga, Ontario) received the 2026 Tom Fairley Award for Editorial Excellence. Lisa was awarded the $2,000 prize for her work on REDress: Art, Action, and the Power of Presence by Jaime Black-Morsette (Portage & Main Press/HighWater Press).
The other editors shortlisted for their editorial excellence were Victoria Addona of Montreal, Quebec, and Marguerite Pigeon of Vancouver, British Columbia. Victoria and Marguerite each received cash prizes of $500 in recognition of their exceptional editorial performance.
Claudette Upton Scholarship
Paige Vandop (Nanaimo, British Columbia) received the 2026 Claudette Upton Scholarship. Paige is an editor and writer currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in creative writing at Vancouver Island University. Making the most of her studies, Paige has contributed to several publications, sharpening her craft while broadening her perspective. She has also self-published her own novel and, in 2025, launched her freelance business, Anomaly Consulting. Paige was awarded the $1,000 prize to help support her continuing professional development in editing.
Karen Virag Award
Letitia Henville (Montreal, Quebec) received the 2026 Karen Virag Award. An innovative force in academia, Letitia is helping to transform how students and educators approach communication. Through a combination of education, mentorship, community building, advocacy, and developing accessible, research-informed resources, she is a strong advocate for the importance of professional editing in the field. Letitia received the $400 cash prize for exceptional efforts by an individual or organization to raise the profile of editing in their community.
Equity Fellowship
Catherine Rousselle
Editors Canada awarded the 2026 Equity Fellowship to three recipients:
Luis Ramirez-Liberato (Richmond Hill, Ontario), not pictured
Catherine Rousselle (Stanbridge East, Quebec)
Meaghan Steeves (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
The Editors Canada Equity Fellowship is designed to support editors who have traditionally been excluded by the publishing and editing industries, including editors who are BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, neurodivergent and disabled. Each fellowship is valued at $1,250.
Lee d’Anjou Volunteer of the Year Award
Holly Vestad (Montreal, Quebec) received the 2026 Lee d’Anjou Volunteer of the Year Award.
Holly Vestad received the award for her leadership in transforming an idea into a vital resource for editors. As chair of the career builder committee, she revitalized the team and guided the creation of the Career Development Hub after years of setbacks. Her work centralized resources for finding work, such as job listings, training and essential tools into a single website that helps to connect association members with opportunities. Colleagues highlighted her enthusiasm, care and compassion as keys to launching the long-awaited resource that will deliver lasting, practical benefits to Editors Canada members.
President’s Award for Volunteer Service
Established in 2010, the Editors Canada President’s Award for Volunteer Service recognizes outstanding service to the organization by member volunteers. From among the nominations received for the President’s Award, one nominee is selected to receive the Lee d’Anjou Volunteer of the Year Award.
Recipients of the 2026 President’s Award for Volunteer Service are as follows.
Badou Bousso (Editors Ottawa-Gatineau)
Carolyn Brown (Editors Ottawa-Gatineau)
Heather Buzila (Editors Edmonton)
Greg Ioannou (Editors Toronto)
Anne Louise Mahoney (Editors Ottawa-Gatineau)
Gael Spivak (Editors Ottawa-Gatineau)
Holly and the recipients of the President’s Award will be recognized at Editors Canada’s annual general meeting on June 25, 2026.
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About Editors Canada
Additional information about Editors Canada awards can be found online.
Editors Canada began in 1979 as the Freelance Editors’ Association of Canada to promote and maintain high standards of editing. In 1994, the word “Freelance” was dropped to reflect the association’s expanding focus to serve both freelance and in-house editors. As Canada’s only national editorial association, it is the hub for members and affiliates, both salaried and freelance, who work in the corporate, technical, government, not-for-profit and publishing sectors. The association’s professional development programs and services include professional certification, an annual conference, seminars, webinars, and networking with other associations. Editors Canada has four regional branches: British Columbia; Toronto; Ottawa–Gatineau; and Quebec, as well as smaller branches (called twigs) in Atlantic Canada, Barrie, Calgary, Edmonton, Hamilton-Halton, Kingston, Kitchener-Waterloo-Guelph and Manitoba.
Media contact
Michelle Ou (she/elle)
Senior Communications Manager
Editors Canada
communications@editors.ca