Comedian, actor, writer, and musician Mae Martin has been announced as the host of the 55th annual Juno Awards, set to take place on March 29 at Hamilton’s newly renovated TD Coliseum. This marks Martin’s first time hosting the Junos, and they will become the first comedian to solo-host the ceremony since Russell Peters in 2009. “I hope the audience gets a little raucous,” Martin said, emphasizing their goal for a loose, high-energy atmosphere reminiscent of a live music show. The Toronto-born performer comes off a successful 2024 hosting stint at the Canadian Screen Awards and the premiere o

Comedian, actor, writer, and musician Mae Martin has been announced as the host of the 55th annual Juno Awards, set to take place on March 29 at Hamilton’s newly renovated TD Coliseum. This marks Martin’s first time hosting the Junos, and they will become the first comedian to solo-host the ceremony since Russell Peters in 2009. “I hope the audience gets a little raucous,” Martin said, emphasizing their goal for a loose, high-energy atmosphere reminiscent of a live music show. The Toronto-born performer comes off a successful 2024 hosting stint at the Canadian Screen Awards and the premiere of their Netflix show Wayward, which contributed to a growing sense of pride in Canadian cultural output. The 2026 ceremony will feature performances by R&B and soul artist Daniel Caesar, who will also receive the International Achievement Award, folk/roots singer-songwriter William Prince, as well as Hamilton rock band Arkells and Toronto’s The Beaches. Lifetime achievement honors will be given to Canadian music legend Joni Mitchell, while singer Nelly Furtado will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Martin expressed excitement at returning to the Canadian stage and celebrating homegrown talent at a pivotal moment for Canadian arts. “The worse things get around us, the more we rally together and realize that we actually do have a really distinct cultural identity,” Martin said. They noted that the success of Canadian productions like Wayward and hockey drama Heated Rivalry demonstrates that local content can resonate globally. This year, the Junos will introduce some category changes, including Latin Music Recording of the Year for the first time and updated eligibility requirements for Rap Album/EP and Rap Single of the Year. Only Canadian citizens or permanent residents will be eligible, underscoring the Junos’ ongoing commitment to promoting and supporting Canadian talent. The 55th annual Juno Awards will air on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, and stream on CBC Music’s YouTube Channel. With Mae Martin at the helm, organizers promise a celebration

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