Canada's biggest night in music has found its host for 2026. The Juno Awards have announced that acclaimed Toronto-born comedian, actor, and writer Mae Martin will take the helm for the 55th annual ceremony.
A Multi-Talented Host for a National Celebration
The event is scheduled for Sunday, March 29, 2026, and will be broadcast live from the TD Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario. Martin, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, follows in the footsteps of Michael Bublé, who hosted the previous year's event in Vancouver.
Martin is a versatile talent, known for creating and starring in the Netflix thriller series Wayward and for their role in the British dramedy Feel Good. While they have previous experience hosting the Canadian Screen Awards in 2024, Martin admits the Junos present a unique challenge.
"It's different when it's musicians. Secretly, all comedians want to be musicians," Martin told Postmedia. "The Junos have always been about celebrating artists who are bold, genre-defying, and unafraid to be a little weird, so I'll try to embody those qualities."
Legendary Honours and Stellar Performances
The 2026 ceremony will be a landmark event, paying tribute to some of Canada's most iconic musical figures. Music legend Joni Mitchell will be presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. The Alberta native becomes only the third Canadian ever to receive this honour, which was last given to Anne Murray.
In another major announcement, pop superstar Nelly Furtado will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame during the broadcast.
The show will also feature several special performances and awards. Grammy-winning R&B artist Daniel Caesar is set to receive the International Achievement Award and will perform live. Additionally, the Mississauga rock band Billy Talent will be recognized with the Humanitarian Award for their longstanding philanthropic work.
They will join previously announced performers, including Hamilton's own Arkells, Toronto pop-rock group The Beaches, and Manitoba singer-songwriter William Prince. The full list of nominees across all categories will be revealed on January 27.
A Night of Unity and Canadian Pride
Martin emphasized that the tone of the 2026 Junos will be one of celebration and national pride, particularly given current global dynamics. "Hopefully, it will be a celebratory atmosphere, and one of unity and pride," they said. "There's amazing art coming out of Canada, as there has always been, but I feel like we're noticing it more."
Despite the scale of the event, Martin aims for a relaxed and unpredictable vibe. "There will be these incredible musical performances happening, so hopefully it will have this real party atmosphere," they explained. "But it's a live show, and I want it to feel like anything could happen."
The comedian joked about their pre-show nerves, which include wanting to impress the musical artists and a playful fear of encountering old acquaintances from their Toronto school days. "What if people who went to my high school are there? What if my high school bullies are there and they bully me?" Martin quipped.
To maintain their unique comedic voice, Martin is avoiding watching clips of past hosts like Michael Bublé. "They're all icons," they said with a laugh. "If I start watching all of Bublé's past hosting, I'm going to start doing an impersonation of him."
The 55th Annual Juno Awards, hosted by Mae Martin, will air on CBC on March 29, 2026, showcasing the best of Canadian music talent from Hamilton's TD Coliseum.
