The names of the finalists of the National Assembly's Political Book Prize are now known!

See our press release (French only)

The Political Book Prizes are awarded to MA and PhD students who have written on topics relating to Québec politics. The names of the winners will be announced at a ceremony in the National Assembly Library in the presence of Marc Picard, Vice-President of the National Assembly, on Wednesday, May 25.

At 2:30 p.m. on the same day, on the occasion of the Prize’s 20th anniversary, you are invited to attend a round table chaired by Marjorie Champagne. It will bring together three former parliamentarians to discuss how politics have changed in Québec since 2002 in the Parliament Building’s reception pavilion. An event not to be missed!

May 25 is also the day of the launch of the virtual exhibition showcasing the history of the National Assembly’s Political Book Prize and the works of the finalists and winners over the last 20 years.  

Keep an eye out for further details!

Watch promotional video (French only)

Each year since 2003, the National Assembly of Québec has highlighted the richness of political writing in Québec and the talent of authors who excel in the genre.

The Prize was created:

• to encourage authors who write on subjects related to Québec politics;
• to spark the interest of parliamentarians and the general public in political works;
• to foster closer ties between the public, authors and the National Assembly;
• to increase the public's knowledge of Québec's parliamentary institutions.

Description

These prizes are awarded for books on Québec politics, based on quality and originality.

The National Assembly awards three prizes in this category: $ 6,500 awarded to the winner and $2,000 awarded to each of the two finalists.

Rules

You may submit an entry if you are an author or a co-author of a book written in French or English, mainly focussed on Quebec politics, and published between January 1 and December 31, 2021.

It can be an essay, a historical or an analytical work, a narrative, an autobiography, or a biography. Work selected muststand out for their analytical nature.

Re-published texts, interviews and autobiographies are eligible only to the extent that the works show evidence of an in-depth critical analysis by the author or co-author. 

Government publications, conference proceedings, translations and collective works are not eligible.

Books need not to deal exclusively with Québec to be eligible. However, works whose subject matter is not rooted in the past, present or future political reality of Québec society are not eligible.

The work must have been published in book form (i.e., on paper) by a publisher whose head office is in Québec.

Book manuscripts which have undergone a peer review process are eligible. However, works from online publishing houses, self-published works and books whose publication was subsidized by a sponsor are not eligible.

The following persons may not submit entries: jury members, Prize Secretariat personnel, Steering Committee members, MNAs and their staff, and the personnel of the National Assembly

Jury

The independent jury is composed of at least three members chosen for their expertise. It reserves the right not to award a prize.

Selection criteria

• Quality of language and writing style;
• Structure and organization of the work;
• Originality of the topic selected and of the research;
• Unprecedented content;
• Accessibility of the work and reading interest;
• Knowledge contribution of Quebec society and politics.

Description

These prizes are awarded for doctoral dissertations and Masters' theses focussing on Québec politics, in particular political life, political institutions, or political figures.

The Fondation Jean-Charles-Bonenfant awards four prizes in this category:

• $4,000 and $1,500 awarded to Doctoral Theses
• $3,000 and $1,000 awarded to Master’s These

Rules

To be eligible, a dissertation or thesis must be primarily about Québec politics, be at least 90 pages in length, be in either French or English, and have been defended or assessed between January 1 and December 31, 2021 in any university (located in or outside of Quebec). Work carried out as part of a co-supervision is eligible.

Theses and dissertations need not deal exclusively with Québec to be eligible. However, works whose subject matter is not rooted in the past, present or future political reality of Québec society are not eligible.

Only theses and dissertations assessed as excellent and/or very good will be evaluated by the jury.

The following persons may not submit entries: jury members, Prize Secretariat personnel, Steering Committee members, MNAs and their staff, and the personnel of the National Assembly.

Should fewer than three dissertations or three theses be submitted, the prizes in the corresponding sub-category will not be awarded. The submissions will be deferred to the following edition of the Prix de la Fondation Jean-Charles-Bonenfant.

Jury

The independent jury is composed of at least three members chosen for their expertise. It reserves the right not to award a prize.

Selection criteria

• Originality and novelty of content;
• Readability and quality of writing;
• Scientific relevance of subject;
• Public interest and political relevance of subject.

The award is suspended for this year.