B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke smiles on the sideline during the second half of a CFL football game against the Ottawa Redblacks in Vancouver on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

By The Canadian Press

Rourke, Oliveira and Philpot named as finalists for CFL’s top Canadian award

Oct 27, 2026 | 9:06 AM

TORONTO — B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke is in the running to defend his CFL top Canadian award.

Rourke was named as a finalist for the honour. He was the league’s top Canadian and outstanding player last season.

Rourke, of Victoria, threw for 4,614 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing 70.5 per cent of his passes. He also ran for 356 yards — averaging 11.5 yards per carry — with three touchdowns.

Winnipeg running back Brady Oliveira — the CFL’s top Canadian in 2023-24 and its outstanding player in 2024 — and Montreal receiver Tyson Philpot are the other finalists.

Oliveira was the CFL’s top rusher this season with 1,493 yards and averaged 6.3 yards per carry. The Winnipeg native recorded his fifth straight 1,000-yard campaign while adding 42 catches for 348 yards and scoring eight total TDs (seven rushing, one receiving).

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Philpot led the CFL in receiving with 124 catches for 1,809 yards and was tied with teammate Tyler Snead for most TD grabs (13 apiece). Philpot, of Delta, B.C., set new Canadian standards for receptions and yards, accomplishing both feats in 16 games.

The CFL also unveiled its finalists for the top offensive lineman and rookie awards.

Winnipeg’s Jarell Broxton and Montreal Alouettes Nick Callender and Pier-Olivier Lestage are the top lineman finalists. Toronto receiver Tyler Kahmann, B.C. linebacker Parker McKenna and Bombers defensive back Major Williams will vie for the outstanding rookie honour.

Broxton started 17 games this season with Winnipeg and helped pave the way for Oliveira. Broxton ranked second among offensive tackles with a Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 75.2 (minimum of 100 snaps).

Callender started 12 games for a Montreal offensive line that allowed a league-low 19 sacks. Callender led the CFL with a PFF pass-block grade of 84.2 (minimum of 100 snaps).

Lestage started 17 of 18 games with Montreal. The Saint-Eustache, Que., native helped the Alouettes lead the CFL in yards per game (420.9) and yards per play (7.5).

Kahmann was one of four Argos receivers this season to crack the 1,000-yard mark. He had 77 catches for 1,092 yards and eight TDs.

McKenna appeared in all 18 of B.C.’s games this season, registering 75 defensive tackles and six on special teams. He also had four tackles for a loss, a sack and two forced fumbles.

Williams made 18 starts this season for Winnipeg. He ranked second on the team in defensive tackles (77, one for loss) while adding nine special-teams tackles and three interceptions.

On Wednesday, the CFL will reveal the finalists for outstanding player, top defensive performer and outstanding special-teams player.

The league won’t be honouring its top players at an annual awards ceremony this year. Instead, the winners will learn of their accomplishment through surprise presentations that will be shared online.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press