Margaret Collier Award

Started in 1986 by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) at the annual Gemini Awards, and then as part of the Canadian Screen Awards in 2013, the Margaret Collier Award honours a Canadian writer or team of writers for their outstanding body of work in film or television. This distinguished award is named after Margaret Collier (pictured), who began her career at ACTRA in 1964, and played a pivotal role in establishing the Writers Guild of Canada, serving as its first Executive Director from 1991 to 1994.

In 2025, with the support of the Canadian Academy, the WGC assumed responsibility for the Award, which is presented at the WGC Screenwriting Awards. The Canadian Academy is a supporting partner of the Margaret Collier Award.

Past recipients of the Margaret Collier Award include: David Shore (2020), Brad Wright (2019), Denis McGrath (2018), Karen Walton (2016), Tassie Cameron (2015), Semi Chellas (2014), Heather Conkie (2013), Bob Carney (2011), Donald Martin (2010), Barbara Samuels (2009), David Cole (posthumously, 2008), Mr. Dressup writers: Chris Clark, Lilly Barnes, Joy Simons-Newall, and Susan Marcus (2007), Pete White (2006), Wayne Grigsby (2004), Charles Lazer (2003), Patrick Watson (2002), David Barlow (2001), Rob Forsyth (posthumously, 2000), Suzette Couture (1999), Frank Shuster/Johnny Wayne (Oct. 1998), Doug Bowie (Feb. 1998), Anna Sandor (1996), Timothy Findley (1995), Alex Barris (1994), George Robertson (1993), Harry Rasky (1992), Ted Allan (1990), Donald Brittain (1989), Charles Cohen (1988), Grahame Woods (1987), and Charles Israel (1986).