These are the Canadian number-one albums of 1981. The chart is compiled by Nielsen Soundscan and published by Jam! Canoe, issued every Sunday. The chart also appears in Billboard magazine as Top Canadian Albums.
identifies Canadian musical or comedy acts.
| Issue date | Album | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| January 3 | The River | Bruce Springsteen |
| January 10 | ||
| January 17 | Double Fantasy | John Lennon and Yoko Ono |
| January 24 | ||
| January 31 | ||
| February 7 | ||
| February 14 | ||
| February 21 | ||
| February 28 | ||
| March 7 | ||
| March 14 | ||
| March 21 | ||
| March 28 | Paradise Theater | Styx |
| April 4 | ||
| April 11 | Hi Infidelity | REO Speedwagon |
| April 18 | Arc of a Diver | Steve Winwood |
| April 25 | ||
| May 2 | Hi Infidelity | REO Speedwagon |
| May 9 | Face Dances | The Who |
| May 16 | Arc of a Diver | Steve Winwood |
| May 23 | Face Value | Phil Collins |
| May 30 | ||
| June 6 | ||
| June 13 | Arc of a Diver | Steve Winwood |
| June 20 | Mistaken Identity | Kim Carnes |
| June 27 | ||
| July 4 | ||
| July 11 | ||
| July 18 | ||
| July 25 | Long Distance Voyager | The Moody Blues |
| August 1 | ||
| August 8 | ||
| August 15 | ||
| August 22 | ||
| August 29 | ||
| September 5 | ||
| September 12 | ||
| September 19 | ||
| September 26 | ||
| October 3 | Tattoo You | The Rolling Stones |
| October 10 | ||
| October 17 | ||
| October 24 | ||
| October 31 | ||
| November 7 | ||
| November 14 | ||
| November 21 | Ghost in the Machine | The Police |
| November 28 | ||
| December 5 | ||
| December 12 | ||
| December 19 | ||
| December 26 | The Great White North | Bob and Doug McKenzie |
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