Sarah Cox is a finalist for the 2018
The Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing was established by The Writers’ Trust of Canada in honour of the outspoken namesake MP from Windsor, Ontario. It is awarded annually for an exceptional book of literary nonfiction that captures a political subject of relevance to Canadian readers. Breaching the Peace is one of five nominated titles.
“Cox elevates this story by taking readers around the globe … where other hydroelectric dams have deeply impacted communities.”
Of Breaching the Peace, jury members André Picard, Angela Sterritt, and Chris Turner wrote, “With beautiful writing and compelling storytelling, Sarah Cox brings us to the Indigenous territories and backyards of farmers on the frontlines of the fight to stop the construction of a hydroelectric dam in northern British Columbia. Breaching the Peace explores some of Canada’s most critical contemporary issues — climate change, renewable energy, Indigenous issues, and property rights. Cox elevates this story by taking readers around the globe, from Brazil to Ukraine to China, where other hydroelectric dams have deeply impacted communities. This is the gripping and extraordinary story of a community resisting a powerful Crown corporation to protect the Peace Valley.”
The winner will be announced May 15, 2019 in Ottawa at the Politics and the Pen event. The winner receives $20,000.