A book examining the challenges and transformation of Canada’s immigration system has won the prestigious Donner Prize for public policy writing.
Borderline Chaos: How Canada Got Immigration Right, and Then Wrong by Tony Keller received the $60,000 award at a gala event in Toronto on Thursday night.
Keller, a columnist with The Globe and Mail, was recognized for his analysis of how Canada’s immigration policies evolved and the challenges currently facing the system.
Judges Praise the Book’s Policy Analysis
The Donner Prize jury described the book as:
- “compelling”
- “essential”
- highly relevant for policymakers dealing with immigration reform
Jury chair André Beaulieu said the book explains how Canada’s once highly regarded immigration system encountered major problems and offers ideas on how it can be repaired.
Other Shortlisted Books
Other finalists for the 2026 Donner Prize included:
- Breaking Point: The New Big Shifts Putting Canada at Risk
- 21 Things You Need to Know About Indigenous Self-Government
- A New Blueprint for Government
- The Age of Extraction
Each shortlisted author received $7,500.
About the Donner Prize
The Donner Prize is one of Canada’s top awards for books focused on public policy and governance.
The annual award recognizes works that contribute to important national conversations on issues such as:
- immigration
- economics
- Indigenous governance
- technology
- public administration
The recognition of “Borderline Chaos” comes at a time when immigration policy remains one of the most debated topics in Canada, particularly around housing, labour shortages, temporary immigration and border management.