The Juno Awards has told committee members that it is getting rid of four categories, including the Christian/Gospel category for the next round of awards in 2025.
The Canadian Press reports that it has verified a letter in which "organizers told committee members last week of plans to put on 'hiatus' reggae recording, children’s album, Christian/Gospel album and international album of the year."
K-Anthony was last year's winner in the Christian/Gospel album of the year category for his EP Arrow. The Jamaican-Canadian artist from Regina said, "Dreams do come true with God, faith and perseverance!" after the win, showing the importance of the award for Canadian musicians and singers. "With humility and deep gratitude, I share this recognition with all those who have supported me along the way. To God be the glory today and always."
The Canadian Press reports that the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences declined to comment on the changes.
While the Juno Awards are seen as Canada's biggest music award, there was just one category for Christian music and included a wide variety of genres.
Canada does, however, have its own set of Christian music awards, the GMA Covenant Awards. With nearly three-dozen categories, the Covenant Awards cover a wide variety of genres from across the country.
"All four categories were handed out in recent years at a non-televised industry ceremony on the night before the main Junos broadcast," The Canadian Press reports. It's not clear what the guiding decision was behind the move.