Chart-topping albums like Bieber's "Purpose," Drake's "Views" and the Weeknd's "Beauty Behind the Madness" were the marquee names on the 40-title list, which will be whittled down in the coming weeks.
Albums from other big names also made the list, like Carly Rae Jepsen, Peaches, the Strumbellas and City and Colour.
Lesser-known indie acts like Black Mountain, Jean-Michel Blais, Basia Bulat and Suuns will also vie for the crown.
The Polaris Music Prize is awarded to the artist who created the best Canadian album of the previous year irrespective of genre or sales, as chosen by a large team of journalists, broadcasters and bloggers.
The long list was selected from 183 albums that made the first ballots. It will be narrowed to a shorter list on July 14.
The winner will be awarded $50,000 on Sept. 19 at a gala presentation held at Toronto's Carlu. A webcast will be hosted by CBC Music and Aux.tv.
Polaris Music Prize 2016 Long List:
Art Bergmann – The Apostate
Justin Bieber – Purpose
Black Mountain – IV
Jean-Michel Blais – II
Basia Bulat – Good Advice
Daniel Caesar – Pilgrim's Paradise
Tanika Charles – Soul Run
City and Colour – If I Should Go Before You
Cœur de pirate – Roses
Dead Obies – Gesamtkunstwerk
Destroyer – Poison Season
Dilly Dally – Sore
Drake – VIEWS
Essaie pas – Demain est une autre nuit
Fred Fortin – Ultramarr
FOXTROTT – A Taller Us
Grimes – Art Angels
Half Moon Run – Sun Leads Me On
Veda Hille – Love Waves
Jazz Cartier – Hotel Paranoia
Carly Rae Jepsen – E•MO•TION
Junior Boys – Big Black Coat
Kaytranada – 99.9%
Jessy Lanza – Oh No
Majid Jordan – Majid Jordan
Michelle McAdorey – Into Her Future
Nap Eyes – Thought Rock Fish Scale
Safia Nolin – Limoilou
Operators – Blue Wave
Peaches – Rub
PUP – The Dream Is Over
Daniel Romano – Mosey
Andy Shauf – The Party
The Strumbellas – Hope
Suuns – Hold/Still
U.S. Girls – Half Free
Un Blonde – Good Will Come To You
The Weeknd – Beauty Behind the Madness
White Lung – Paradise
Donovan Woods – Hard Settle, Ain't Troubled
