The Juno Awards of 1998 were presented in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The primary ceremonies at GM Place before an audience of 10 000 on 22 March 1998. Actor Jason Priestley of the television series Beverly Hills, 90210 hosted these ceremonies which were televised by CBC. A backstage internet telecast was also introduced for this year. Performers included Jann Arden, Econoline Crush, Leahy, Sarah McLachlan, Ron Sexsmith, and Shania Twain. Nominations were announced on 11 February 1998. The previously combined Blues/Gospel category became separate Best Blues Album and Best Gospel Album categories as of this year. The Canadian Music Hall of Fame welcomed David Foster as its 1998 inductee.

Controversy

Vancouver rap group Rascalz refused their Best Rap Recording award, citing that urban music was hidden in the untelevised Saturday ceremony, rather than being featured during the broadcast of the Sunday evening ceremonies. The band alleged that racism was a factor in the award's scheduling, and for several weeks cultural critics and hip hop musicians debated the issue – some suggested, in fact, that the hip hop award's lack of visibility could be seen as not just a result of Canadian hip hop's poor commercial performance, but also a contributing factor. The award was moved to the main ceremony for the 1999 awards, where it was again won by Rascalz for their single "Northern Touch".

Nominees and winners

Best Female Vocalist

Winner: Sarah McLachlan Other Nominees:

Best Male Vocalist

Winner: Paul Brandt Other Nominees:

Best New Solo Artist

Winner: Holly McNarland Other Nominees:

Group of the Year

Winner: Our Lady Peace Other Nominees:

Best New Group

Winner: Leahy Other Nominees:

Songwriter of the Year

Winner: Sarah McLachlan with Pierre Marchand, "Building A Mystery" by Sarah McLachlan Other Nominees:

Best Country Female Vocalist

Winner: Shania Twain Other Nominees:

Best Country Male Vocalist

Winner: Paul Brandt Other Nominees:

Best Country Group or Duo

Winner: Farmer's Daughter Other Nominees:

International Achievement Award

Winners:

International Album

Spice by Spice Girls

Best Instrumental Artist

Winner: Leahy Other Nominees:

Best Producer

Winner: Pierre Marchand, "Building A Mystery" by Sarah McLachlan Other Nominees:

Best Recording Engineer

Winner: Michael Phillip Wojewoda, "Armstrong and the Guys" and "Our Ambassador" by Spirit of the West Other Nominees:

Canadian Music Hall of Fame

Winner: David Foster

Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award

Winner: Sam Feldman

Nominated and winning albums

Best Album

Winner: Surfacing, Sarah McLachlan, Other Nominees:

Best Children's Album

Winner: Livin' in a Shoe, Judy & David Other Nominees:

Best Classical Album (Solo or Chamber Ensemble)

Winner: Marc-André Hamelin Plays Franz Liszt, Marc-André Hamelin Other Nominees:

Best Classical Album (Large Ensemble)

Winner: Mozart Horn Concertos, James Sommerville, CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Mario Bernardi Other Nominees:

Best Classical Album (Vocal or Choral Performance)

Winner: Soirée française, tenor Michael Schade, baritone Russell Braun, Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, Richard Bradshaw Other Nominees:

Best Album Design

Winner: John Rummen, Crystal Heald, Stephen Chung, Andrew MacNaughtan, Justin Zivojinovich, Songs of a Circling Spirit by Tom Cochrane Other Nominees:

Best Blues Album

Winner: National Steel, Colin James Other Nominees:

Best Gospel Album

Winner: Romantics & Mystics, Steve Bell Other Nominees:

Best Selling Album (Foreign or Domestic)

Winner: Spice, Spice Girls Other Nominees:

Best Mainstream Jazz Album

Winner: In The Mean Time, The Hugh Fraser Quintet Other Nominees:

Best Contemporary Jazz Album

Winner: Metalwood, Metalwood Other Nominees:

Best Roots or Traditional Album - Group

Winner: Molinos, The Paperboys Other Nominees:

Best Roots or Traditional Album - Solo

Winner: Other Songs, Ron Sexsmith Other Nominees:

Best Alternative Album

Winner: Glee, Bran Van 3000 Other Nominees:

Best Selling Francophone Album

Winner: Marie-Michèle Desrosiers chante les classiques de Noël, Marie-Michèle Desrosiers Other Nominees:

Blockbuster Rock Album of the Year

Winner: Clumsy, Our Lady Peace Other Nominees:

Nominated and winning releases

Single of the Year

Winner: "Building a Mystery", Sarah McLachlan Other Nominees:

Best Classical Composition

Winner: "Electra Rising", Malcolm Forsyth Other Nominees:

Best Rap Recording

Winner: Cash Crop, Rascalz (refused) Other Nominees:

Best R&B/Soul Recording

Winner: "Things Just Ain't The Same", Deborah Cox Other Nominees:

Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording

Winner: The Spirit Within, Mishi Donovan Other Nominees:

Best Reggae/Calypso Recording

Winner: "Catch De Vibe", Messenjah Other Nominees:

Best Global Album

Winner: La Llorona, Lhasa Other Nominees:

Best Dance Recording

Winner: "Euphoria (Rabbit in the Moon Mix)", Delerium Other Nominees:

Best Video

Winner: Javier Aguilera, "Gasoline" by Moist Other Nominees: