Justin Bieber, despite leading the nominations with six nods, did not clinch any awards at the recent Juno weekend gala. Instead, Tate McRae emerged victorious, securing four Junos, including album of the year, artist of the year, single of the year, and pop album of the year.
The 2026 Juno Awards Gala, held on March 28 and hosted by Damhnait Doyle and Odario Williams, saw the distribution of 47 awards, featuring groundbreaking wins and multiple debut victors. Notably, Toronto’s R&B singer Daniel Caesar snagged the first award of the night for songwriter of the year, surpassing notable contenders like Bieber and McRae.
Among the night’s honorees, Aysanabee was triumphant in the alternative album of the year and contemporary Indigenous artist of the year categories, expressing gratitude to his team of talented women. Toronto band Billy Talent received the prestigious Humanitarian Award for their extensive philanthropic efforts over the past 25 years.
The Beaches celebrated their rock album of the year win, emphasizing their deep appreciation for the Canadian music scene. Meanwhile, Sadboi, a Toronto-based hip-hop, R&B, and electronic artist, secured the rap album/EP of the year award, showcasing her pride in being recognized in her home country.
The event also saw numerous first-time winners, including Toronto duo Kazdoura for global music album of the year, Aaron Paris for instrumental album of the year with “Lotusland,” and Debby Friday for dance single of the year with “Bet On Me.” Filmmaker Karena Evans clinched the music video of the year award for her work on Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “luther.”
Additionally, seasoned hip-hop artist Saukrates finally claimed his first Juno win after 30 years, taking home the rap single of the year award for “Who’s Driving You?” Maestro Fresh Wes also secured a victory for children’s album of the year, marking his first win since 1991.
Overall, the 2026 Juno Awards Gala showcased a diverse array of talent and celebrated both established artists and emerging voices in the Canadian music industry.