The Trillium Award is given annually by the government of the Province of Ontario and is open to books in any genre: fiction, non-fiction, drama, children's books, and poetry. Anthologies, new editions, re-issues and translations are not eligible. Three jury members per language judge the submissions, select the shortlist and the winning title. The jury is composed of writers and other members of the literary community.

Canadian citizens and landed immigrants who have lived in Ontario for at least three out of the past five years and who have been published anywhere in the world are eligible. Their publishers are invited to submit titles to the Ministry of Culture for consideration. In 1993 the award was expanded by Bob Rae's government to also include a French language category.

  • 2002
    • English - Austin Clarke, The Polished Hoe and Nino Ricci, Testament
    • French - Michel Ouellette, Le testament du couturier and Éric Charlebois, Faux-fuyants

  • 2001
    • English - Richard B. Wright, Clara Callan
    • French - Michèle Matteau, Cognac et Porto

  • 2000
    • English - Don Coles, Kurgan
    • French - Didier Leclair, Toronto, je t'aime

  • 1999
    • English - Alistair MacLeod, No Great Mischief
    • French - Andrée Christensen and Jacques Flamand, Lithochronos ou le premier vol de la pierre

  • 1998
    • English - André Alexis, Childhood and Alice Munro, The Love of a Good Woman
    • French - Daniel Poliquin, L'homme de paille and Stefan Psenak, Du chaos et de l'ordre des choses

  • 1997
    • English - Dionne Brand, Land to Light On
    • French - Roger Levac, Petite Crapaude!

  • 1996
    • English - Anne Michaels, Fugitive Pieces
    • French - Nancy Vickers, Le Pied de Sappho and Alain Bernard Marchand, Tintin au pays de la ferveur

  • 1995
    • English - Margaret Atwood, Morning In The Burned House and Wayson Choy, The Jade Peony
    • French - Maurice Henrie, Le Balcon dans le ciel

  • 1994
    • English - Donald Haram Akenson, Conor: A Biography of Conor Cruise O'Brien; Volume 1 Narrative,
    • French - Andrée Lacelle, Tant de vie s'égare

  • 1993 - Jane Urquhart, Away and Margaret Atwood, The Robber Bride

  • 1992 - Michael Ondaatje, The English Patient

  • 1991 - Margaret Atwood, Wilderness Tips

  • 1990 - Alice Munro, Friend of My Youth

  • 1989 - Modris Eksteins, Rites of Spring

  • 1988 - Timothy Findley, Stones

  • 1987 - Michael Ondaatje, In the Skin of a Lion