Canadian humour writers use familiar settings, familiar voices, and a common history to tell a funny story. Authors describe hockey games, tiny prairie towns, the big city of Toronto, the coast, Quebec winters, and our own special brand of politics. The jokes hit close to home, are easy to identify with, and remind us not to take ourselves too seriously.

A great place to start when looking for Canadian humour is the list of the winners for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour which are handed out annually for humourous works by Canadian authors. Some of the best are listed below.

Sarah Binks by Paul Hiebert, published in 1947, is a comical satire of literary biography and and literary criticism. Perfectly set in Saskatchewan, it is great for poking fun at the perceived arrogance of higher education.

W.O. Mitchell's Jake and the Kid , (c.1961), is sweet, and sentimental. It is the story of a young boys relationship with Jake, the hired man. The two are opposing forces. Jake is old, stubborn, foolish yet kind, the boy is innocent, honest, and finds the grown-up world hard to understand. The stories take place on the Saskatchewan prairie during the Second World War. They give a wonderful sense of rural family life during the war. A great read if you need some cheering up as they always end on a happy note.

In the episodic style of Jake and the Kid, Gophers Don't Pay Taxes (c.1981), by Mervyn J. Huston, is the story of the small town Blossom, Alberta during the depression. This is a funny look at a multitude of characters as they rise above the struggle and despair of their times. These stories also have a happy ending.

The Quebec point of view is portrayed by Roch Carrier in his book, Prayers of a Very Wise Child , (c.1991). Each prayer gives the reader a remarkable vision of French Canada, along with funny interpretations of the world through the eyes of a small child.

The CBC is well represented by the Leacock medal winners. Arthur Black, from CBCs Basic Black, writes short comic sketches about current events. Bill Richardson, from Richardson's Roundup, won the medal for Bachelor Brothers Bed and Breakfast , (c.1993). Guests who visit the Bed and Breakfast relate personal anecdotes in a guest book. The format is creative and interesting, as stories come to the reader from many different voices and points of view. Stuart McLean's Home from the Vinyl Café won the Leacock medal this year. It relates a baby-boomer's point of view while trying to cope with family, friends, and aging. Many of the stories are sentimental as well as funny.

A woman's point of view is represented by Sondra Gotlieb's True Confections ,(c. 1978). Verna's family is trying desperately to marry her off. But Verna is in love with a man she cannot have. The situation this creates is funny, but also says a lot about how women are manipulated by family and friends as they approach adulthood. This book satirizes marriage, and makes us think about how we make choices in life.

The most wicked, yet profound use of humour is by Mordecai Richler in his novel Barney's Version , (c.1997). Richler satirizes all of our passions: T.V., shopping, power, wealth, and even the family and marriage. It's wonderful and refreshing, like a blast of insight in an unexpected moment. The book has lots of fun for the reader on every page, and even comes with an unexpected ending.