The Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMAs) announced the recipients of their 2025 edition, marking the 20th anniversary of the organization. The milestone was celebrated with a series of bilingual concerts held April 3–6 in Ottawa/Gatineau—the founding city of the event. Over four memorable days, audiences were treated to inspiring performances and award presentations that highlighted the excellence and diversity of Canadian folk music.
21 awards were presented in 20 categories, highlighting the talents of artists from every province and a wide range of musical traditions. From emerging voices to established icons, the 2025 recipients reflect the vitality of a genre that continues to evolve.
This year’s recipients represent the rich cultural and geographic diversity of the folk music community across Canada. Notably, there was a tie in the Indigenous Songwriter(s) of the Year category, with the award presented to both Celeigh Cardinal (Alberta) for Boundless Possibilities and Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers (Nova Scotia) for Marks on the Ground.
During Saturday night’s Traditional & Global Roots Concert, CFMA Vice-President Jocelyne Baribeau announced that the Traditional Singer of the Year category will now be known as the Stan Rogers Traditional Singer of the Year Award, in honour of the iconic Canadian folk artist. This year’s recipient was Nova Scotia’s Lucy MacNeil, who also received Traditional Album of the Year for Angels Whisper. A founding member of the Barra MacNeils alongside her brothers, this marks her first solo project in a 37-year career.
Ontario trio Good Lovelies received Vocal Group of the Year for We Will Never Be the Same. The album’s producers, Joshua Van Tassel and Christine Bougie, were also recognized for Producer of the Year. Montreal singer-songwriter Loryn Taggart was named Solo Artist of the Year for The Lost Art of Pulling Through, and also received Single of the Year for her song “Tell Me How'”.
For the first time, the Young Performer of the Year Award includes a $3,000 prize, thanks to the generosity of Thom Fountain, Broker at RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group and long-time CFMA supporter. This year’s recipient is Mary Frances Leahy (Ontario) for her album First Light. A talented fiddler, pianist, dancer, and composer, Leahy has already performed over 600 shows—often alongside her parents, Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy—at just 19 years of age.
The 2025 Unsung Hero Award was presented to Gilles Garand, recognized for over 50 years of dedicated service promoting folk, traditional, and world music from Québec, both in Canada and internationally. He received the award during the Friday, April 4 Gala concert at the National Arts Centre, in a moving tribute led by his son Alexandre de Grosbois-Garand.
CFMA President Graham Lindsey also announced that the 21st edition of the Canadian Folk Music Awards will take place in Calgary, April 9–12, 2026.
