The Juno Awards of 1996, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 10 March 1996 in Hamilton, Ontario at a ceremony in the Copps Coliseum. Anne Murray was the host for the ceremonies, which were broadcast on CBC Television. Quebec-based independent classical label Analekta Records boycotted the Junos after failing to receive a Juno nomination after attempts for five years. Analekta claimed its sales were twice that of CBC Records. Several record stores such as CD Plus, HMV, Sunrise and Music World also intended to boycott the Junos because competing music retailer Columbia House had signed on as a Juno advertiser. Nominations were announced 31 January 1996. Prominent nominees were Alanis Morissette and Shania Twain who had recent internationally successful albums who both won Grammy Awards on 28 February 1996. Alanis Morissette won in five Juno categories, becoming this year's major winner.

Nominees and winners

Levi's Entertainer of the Year

Presented by David Clayton-Thomas, Denny Doherty, John Kay, Domenic Troiano and Zal Yanovsky, this award was chosen by a national poll rather than by Juno organisers CARAS. Winner: Shania Twain Other Nominees:

Best Female Vocalist

Presented by Russell DeCarle and Buffy Sainte-Marie. Winner: Alanis Morissette Other Nominees:

Best Male Vocalist

Presented by Susan Aglukark and Kim Mitchell. Winner: Colin James Other Nominees:

Best New Solo Artist

Winner: Ashley MacIsaac Other Nominees:

Group of the Year

This award was presented by Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees The Diamonds and The Crew Cuts Winner: Blue Rodeo Other Nominees:

Best New Group

Winner: Philosopher Kings Other Nominees:

Songwriter of the Year

Winner: Alanis Morissette Other Nominees:

Best Country Female Vocalist

Presented by George Fox and Charlie Major, this award was accepted on Twain's behalf by her sister Carrie-Anne because she was too sick to attend. Winner: Shania Twain Other Nominees:

Best Country Male Vocalist

Winner: Charlie Major Other Nominees:

Best Country Group or Duo

Winner: Prairie Oyster Other Nominees:

Best Instrumental Artist

Winner: Liona Boyd Other Nominees:

Best Producer

Winner: Michael Phillip Wojewoda, "End of the World" by The Waltons; "Beaton's Delight" by Ashley MacIsaac Other Nominees:

Best Recording Engineer

Winner: Chad Irschick, "O Siem" by Susan Aglukark Other Nominees:

Canadian Music Hall of Fame

Winners: David Clayton-Thomas, Denny Doherty, John Kay, Domenic Troiano, Zal Yanovsky

Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award

Winner: Ronnie Hawkins

Nominated and winning albums

Best Album

Presented by Deborah Cox and Robbie Robertson. Winner: Jagged Little Pill, Alanis Morissette Other Nominees:

Best Children's Album

Winner: Celery Stalks At Midnight, Al Simmons Other Nominees:

Best Classical Album (Solo or Chamber Ensemble)

Winner: Alkan: Grande Sonate/Sonatine/ Le Festin d'Esope, piano Marc-Andre Hamelin Other Nominees:

Best Classical Album (Large Ensemble)

Winner: Shostakovich: Symphonies 5 & 9, Montreal Symphony Orchestra, conductor Charles Dutoit Other Nominees:

Best Classical Album (Vocal or Choral Performance)

Winner: Ben Heppner Sings Richard Strauss, tenor Ben Heppner, The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, conductor Andrew Davis Other Nominees:

Best Album Design

Winner: Tom Wilson and Alex Wittholz, Birthday Boy Other Nominees:

Best Selling Album (Foreign or Domestic)

Winner: No Need to Argue, The Cranberries Other Nominees:

Best Blues/Gospel Album

Winner: That River, Jim Byrnes Other Nominees:

Best Mainstream Jazz Album

Winner: Vernal Fields, Ingrid Jensen Other Nominees:

Best Contemporary Jazz Album

Winner: NOJO, Neufeld-Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra Other Nominees:

Best Selling Francophone Album

Winner: D'eux, Celine Dion Other Nominees:

Rock Album of the Year

Presented by Burton Cummings and Alannah Myles. Winner: Jagged Little Pill, Alanis Morissette Other Nominees:

Best Roots or Traditional Album - Group

Winner: Gypsies & Lovers, The Irish Descendants Other Nominees:

Best Roots or Traditional Album - Solo

Winner: Ashley MacIsaac, Hi™ How Are You Today? Other Nominees:

Best Alternative Album

Winner: What Fresh Hell is This?, Art Bergmann Other Nominees:

Nominated and winning releases

Single of the Year

Winner: "You Oughta Know", Alanis Morissette Other Nominees:

Best Classical Composition

Winner: Concerto For Violin And Orchestra, Andrew P. MacDonald, David Stewart, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra Other Nominees:

Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording

Winner: ETSI Shon "Grandfather Song", Jerry Alfred and the Medicine Beat Other Nominees:

Best Rap Recording

Winner: "E-Z On Tha Motion", Ghetto Concept Other Nominees:

Best R&B/Soul Recording

Presented by Ronnie Hawkins and Colin James. Winner: Deborah Cox, Deborah Cox Other Nominees:

Best Reggae Recording

Winner: "Now and Forever", Sattalites Other Nominees:

Best Global Album

Winner: Music From Africa, Takadja Other Nominees:

Best Dance Recording

Winner: "A Deeper Shade Of Love (Extended Mix)", Camille Other Nominees:

Best Video

Presented by Amanda Marshall and The Odds. Winner: Jeth Weinrich, "Good Mother" by Jann Arden Other Nominees: