Goldie Boutilier, Cassie and Maggie Top 2026 East Coast Music Awards Winners
The awards were handed out at two events in Sydney, Cape Breton, as part of East Coast Music Week, May 20-24.
Goldie Boutilier
Rising star singer-songwriter Goldie Boutilier and folk duo Cassie and Maggie were the big winners at the 2026 East Coast Music Awards, with three trips to the podium apiece. Indigenous roots artist Morgan Toney took home two awards.
The awards were presented over two nights as part of East Coast Music Week, which ran May 20–24, in Sydney, Cape Breton. The five-day celebration featured live performances, industry conference programming, export showcases, networking events and community celebrations across Sydney and Cape Breton.
The 38th East Coast Music Awards Gala was held on Thursday May 21 at Centre 200, while other winners, including all those in the Industry categories, were announced at a Sunday awards function.
Last year's edition of the East Coast Music Awards was mired in controversy over the firing of the previous East Coast Music Association CEO Blanche Israël. Several artists boycotted the association's awards show and conference and called for transparency about governance and the nomination processes. In March 2025, the trade org published a six-point action plan, and later appointed former Great Big Sea member Bob Hallett as the new executive director.
This year's event reportedly ran more smoothly. At the awards gala, Hallett observed that "Tonight was a powerful reminder of the depth, range, and heart of music in Atlantic Canada. From emerging artists to internationally recognized performers and lifelong contributors to our music community, these winners reflect the extraordinary talent and cultural impact of our region."
Of the major winners, Goldie Boutilier triumphed in the breakthrough artist, album of the year and rock/alternative release of the year categories, while Cassie and Maggie won for group of the year, roots release of the year and traditional release of the year
Morgan Toney won indigenous artist of the year and fusion release of the year while the prestigious Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award went to Cape Breton folk veterans The Barra MacNeils.
The 2026 ECMA Award winners
Album of the Year
Goldie Boutilier — Goldie Boutilier (CB)
African Canadian Artist of the Year
Blessing Tangban (NS)
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Goldie Boutilier (CB)
Entertainer of the Year — Fans’ Choice
Andree Pettipas (NS)
Video of the Year — Fans’ Choice
Aaron MacDonald — “Beaches & Bands” (CB)
Folk Release of the Year
Lennie Gallant (PEI)
Francophone Artist of the Year
La Famille LeBlanc (NB)
Group of the Year
Cassie and Maggie (NS)
Pop Release of the Year
Maggie Andrew (NS)
Release of the Year
Elyse Aeryn (CB)
Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award
The Barra MacNeils (CB)
Loud Release of the Year
The Order of the Precious Blood (NL)
Blues Release of the Year
JP LeBlanc — All In My Blood / Je l’ai dans l’sang
(New Brunswick)
Children’s Artist of the Year
Donna & Andy
(Nova Scotia)
Classical Release of the Year
Duo Concertante — Maier, Franck, Schumann: Sonatas for Violin & Piano
(Newfoundland and Labrador)
Classical Composer of the Year
Amy Brandon
(Nova Scotia)
Country Release of the Year
The Martin Boys — Burn the Boats
(New Brunswick)
Dance Release of the Year
PINEO & LOEB — Love Yourself
(Nova Scotia)
Electronic Release of the Year
Rich Aucoin — Frequency Modulation
(Nova Scotia)
Fusion Release of the Year
Morgan Toney — Golden Regalia
(Cape Breton)
Global Music Release of the Year
XIA-3 — Interworlds
(Newfoundland and Labrador)
Indigenous Artist of the Year
Morgan Toney
(Cape Breton)
Instrumental Release of the Year
Adam Cicchillitti — Lyrique
(New Brunswick)
Jazz Release of the Year
Joe Bowden — Music Is Life
(Nova Scotia)
Producer of the Year
Colin Buchanan
(Prince Edward Island)
R&B / Soul Release of the Year
Lindsay Misiner — I Saw An Angel
(Nova Scotia)
Rap / Hip-Hop Release of the Year
HINCH — Poetry Is The Art Of Death
(New Brunswick)
Rock / Alternative Release of the Year
Goldie Boutilier — Goldie Boutilier Presents... Goldie Montana
(Cape Breton)
Roots Release of the Year
Cassie and Maggie — Gold and Coal
(Nova Scotia)
Solo Artist of the Year
Logan Richard
(Prince Edward Island)
Songwriter of the Year
Kellie Loder
(Newfoundland and Labrador)
Traditional Release of the Year
Cassie and Maggie — Gold and Coal
(Nova Scotia)
2026 ECMA Industry Award Winners
Artist Management of the Year
Nik MacDonald
(Nova Scotia)
Event of the Year
Celtic Colours International Festival
(Cape Breton)
Innovator of the Year
Katrina Lopes
(Nova Scotia)
Media Excellence Award
Greg Smith
(Newfoundland and Labrador)
Recording Engineer of the Year
John Mullane
(Nova Scotia)
Technical Excellence Award
Donnie MacNeil
(Cape Breton)
Venue of the Year
The Majestic Theatre
(Newfoundland and Labrador)
Visual Artist of the Year
Sandra-Lee Layden
(Newfoundland and Labrador)
2026 ECMA Honorary Award Recipients
Bucky Adams Memorial Award
Joseph Parris
Industry Builder Award
Katrina Lopes
Musician’s Achievement Award
Emily Dingwall
Stompin’ Tom Award — Cape Breton
Laura Mercer
Stompin’ Tom Award — New Brunswick
Theresa Malenfant
Stompin’ Tom Award — Newfoundland and Labrador
John Hutton
Stompin’ Tom Award — Nova Scotia
Wayne O’Connor
Stompin’ Tom Award — Prince Edward Island
Rhéal Arsenault
