We're looking for new board members 📣 In particular, we are looking for those from Atlantic Canada, as well as those with a background in fundraising or events (residing anywhere in #Canada). The deadline to express interest in Monday April 13, 2026. Learn more: pencanada.ca/news/call-fo...

Right-wing groups and think tanks had a private audience with Alberta's premier and education minister in February to discuss education policy. Check out what our access to information documents show. zurl.co/P25Fl

PEN Canada Writers in Exile — apply this week. 💌 This free workshop, led by educator and author Patricia Westerhof, covers what scams you should look out for, how to get published in literary magazines, and how to get an agent or editor interested in your manuscript. buff.ly/2RGJHKo

Access to Information Requests have revealed that in February 2026 Alberta’s premier and education minister held a private meeting with groups behind the push to ‘conservatize’ Alberta school boards and ban LGBTQ books: theijf.org/article/albe...

The Alberta government is expanding its control of library materials 🚨 New proposed legislation would require that public libraries separate material with any graphic sexual material from the rest of the library, such as keeping those books behind a counter: www.cbc.ca/player/play/...

In an era of book bans, this organization is giving them away 📚 At a moment when many special interest groups and governments are devoted to keeping some books out of children’s hands, there is something almost radical about an organization devoted to getting books into the hands of children.

#JobAlert: The Quebec Writers' Federation is looking to fill two full-time, permanent positions: Executive Director and Operations Manager. Deadline to apply: April 15, 5:00 p.m. ET. 👉 Executive Director: qwf.org/call-for-app... 👉 Operations Manager: qwf.org/call-for-app...

We're looking for new board members 📣 In particular, we are looking for those from Atlantic Canada, as well as those with a background in fundraising or events (residing anywhere in #Canada). The deadline to express interest in Monday April 13, 2026. Learn more: pencanada.ca/news/call-fo...

A look back on our event two weeks ago, featuring members of the PEN Canada Writers in Exile network. The Varsity reporter Bushra Boblai says the reading brought an "urgency" that is "sorely needed in an environment that can sometimes feel insular": thevarsity.ca/2026/03/29/t...

We want you to make a nomination for the Ken Filkow Prize, which recognizes those who have advanced free expression in Canada. Learn more: pencanada.ca/defend-expre...

A new award from PEN International and Feltrinelli Publishing aims to raise awareness of courageous voices and the contexts in which they work, reaffirming the vital role of literature and free expression in upholding fundamental rights:

#HongKong: last week, a #bookstore owner and three staff were arrested for allegedly selling a biography of jailed pro-democracy activist and publisher, Jimmy Lai. The founder of Apple Daily newspaper, Lai was sentenced to a 20-year jail term in February: www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

Only a few tickets remain for next week's event — save your seat before they're gone: 🗓️ Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 7 p.m. 📍 Emmanuel College Chapel (third floor, 75 Queen’s Park Cres E., #Toronto) 🎟️ Free and open to the public www.eventbrite.ca/e/read-the-r...

Is journalism under threat in Canada? From APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network), a report on how increasing threats to press freedom and personal safety are making it harder for journalists to do their job: www.aptnnews.ca/infocus/info...

What is the future of publishing in Canada? English Canada once forged a confident literary culture. For decades, books shaped the national conversation and anchored a shared sense of who Canadians were. But now, publishing in Canada has collapsed.

#Canada: We join @pencanada.bsky.social in condemning the recent intimidation of journalist Rachel Gilmore. PEN stands with the writers and journalists who uphold and defend our collective right to freedom of expression and the unhampered transmission of thought. pencanada.ca/news/pen-can...

In #Canada, federal prison inmates participate in bookclubs, as part of a program that has been running for almost 20 years. With recent funding cuts threatening the jobs of prison librarians, Tom Best (Bookclubs for Inmates) speaks with CBC about the initiative: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/a...

Calling all emerging talent in Canadian literature — Unpublished writers are encouraged to submit creative nonfiction, journalism, short stories, or poetry collections for the RBC PEN Canada New Voices Award.

September 2026 will mark a quarter-century since 12 Eritrean writers were arbitrarily arrested and disappeared into prison, simply for speaking out. Since 2001, they have been held in secret—without charge, without trial, and without contact: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...

What happens when police ignore journalists' credentials? On @aptnnews.bsky.social InFocus, Cierra Bettens examines growing concerns around press freedom in Canada, including guests Amber Bracken, Brandi Morin, and Rachel Gilmore: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday for our event, Voices of Freedom, in #Toronto. The show starts at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Let us know you're coming by RSVP'ing on Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.ca/e/voices-of-...

We welcome the news of the release of Eritrean cartoonist Biniam “Cobra” Solomon after 15 years in detention without charge. Many writers and journalists in Eritrea remain behind bars. Learn more ⬇️ www.pen-international.org/our-campaign... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

In Egypt, the search for vanished political activists and dissidents can be its own form of torture. More on enforced disappearances and exile, from Mostafa Al-A’sar in The Walrus: thewalrus.ca/where-do-the...

Do you know a Canadian who helped a threatened foreign writer? Over the next few months, consider nominating them for the 2026 Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize. The winner will receive $3,000 CAD and be recognized at the PEN Canada awards ceremony later this year.

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday for our event, Voices of Freedom, in #Toronto. The show starts at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Let us know you're coming by RSVP'ing on Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.ca/e/voices-of-...

Recent book bans in Alberta included Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer, Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home, and Craig Thompson’s Blankets. These were flagged by Christian lobby group Action4Canada, who met with the Education Minister before the ministerial order was announced: edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...

"Over the last several years, school libraries have become a front line in the culture wars, especially in the U.S," Ira Wells tells @elamin.bsky.social on CBC Commotion. "It's disturbing to see those culture wars being imported into our political context in Canada." www.cbc.ca/arts/commoti...

Who is on the frontlines of free expression? Starting today, you can submit a nomination of anyone whose work has advanced freedom of expression in Canada. This may include authors, concerned citizens, journalists, librarians, professors, public servants, scientists, whistleblowers, and others.

PEN Canada is profoundly disturbed by the intimidation and threats against journalist Rachel Gilmore. Last week, Rachel Gilmore was publicly accosted by individuals named in a Tyee investigation into a white nationalist group in Montreal:

What is the future of publishing in Canada? English Canada once forged a confident literary culture. For decades, books shaped the national conversation and anchored a shared sense of who Canadians were. But now, publishing in Canada has collapsed.

"The Russian authorities are looking to China more and more nowadays – not as a model that can be copied point for point, but as proof that control can be built into everyday reality." www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/03/russ...

What is the fate of political prisoners forced into exile? A Kurdish writer and former child prisoner, Omer Cakir was arrested at the age of 15 for protesting Turkish airstrikes on Kurdish civilians. He spent 13 years in Turkish prisons: buff.ly/1ev1tVs

In his latest reporting, Diary Marif, an independent journalist and PEN Canada Writer in Exile, writes about Amna Suraka prison, located in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Once a torture site, the prison is now a national memorial and the region's Museum of War Crimes: theamargi.com/posts/from-t...

Belarusian authorities have designated PEN Belarus as an “extremist organization". This will criminalize the work of one of Belarus’ most important literary and human rights organizations, and puts writers, staff and supporters at risk of persecution. More from PEN America: pen.org/press-releas...

PEN Canada is seeking nominations for its Board of Directors. Board members are expected to contribute to PEN’s activities, attend and participate in quarterly board meetings, and take part in committee work as needed. Learn more and apply: pencanada.ca/news/call-fo...

Last fall, Alberta schools were ordered to review their library collections and remove material containing explicit depictions of sexual acts. Ira Wells says Alberta’s order turns a blind eye to legal definitions of obscenity and demeans students' intelligence: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Today, the Writers' Union of Canada announced Ira Wells as the recipient of the 2026 Freedom to Read Award. Wells is associate professor of literature and humanities at the University of Toronto and author of On Book Banning. He also serves as President of PEN Canada.

The Centre for Free Expression has published a report on censorship in Canadian libraries, and the largest book ban in Canadian history. Read “The Rising Demands for Censorship: Challenges Faced by Canadian Libraries in 2025” by James L. Turk here: buff.ly/Ws1Xmj1

#Canada: the Centre for Free Expression has published a comprehensive report on censorship in Canadian libraries, and the largest book ban in Canadian history: cfe.torontomu.ca/publications...

#Canada: After the government announced a 15 percent budget cut for Correctional Services Canada over the next three years, CSC says it will eliminate all prison librarian positions. Tanya Talaga shares what's at risk for human rights and rehabilitation: www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...

Via PEN International: Early this morning, a Hong Kong court overturned the 2022 fraud conviction for #JimmyLai. However, he remains imprisoned under the National Security Law, and continues to face serious concerns for his health and wellbeing. www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...

PEN Canada is seeking nominations for new members of its board of directors. Board members are expected to contribute to PEN’s activities, attend and participate in quarterly board meetings, and take part in committee work as needed. Learn more: buff.ly/iCsS5JS

Announcing the readers for our upcoming Voices of Freedom event. On March 18, you'll hear from Rukhshana Ahmadi (Hazara writer), Ali Sobati (Iranian poet, translator, and literary activist), and Hazrat Wahriz (leading a network of schools for girls in Afghanistan). 🎟️ Free tickets: buff.ly/n1sDYR9

Today marks four years since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of #Ukraine. Since then, at least 263 cultural figures have been killed by Russian forces. In a new essay, Volodymyr Yermolenko (President of PEN Ukraine) reflects life during war: www.pen-international.org/news/volodym...

PEN Canada is seeking nominations for its Board of Directors. Board members are expected to contribute to PEN’s activities, attend and participate in quarterly board meetings, and take part in committee work as needed. Learn more and apply: pencanada.ca/news/call-fo...

Do you know a Canadian who helped a threatened foreign writer? Over the next few months, consider nominating them for the 2026 Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize. The winner will receive $3,000 CAD and be recognized at the PEN Canada awards ceremony later this year.

On #BookBans — the last few years have seen lots of books removed from schools, libraries and bookstores. The latest episode of The Chapter has Kudakwashe Rutendo and Mirian Njoh weigh in on the topic, discussing influential challenged titles from their own lives: www.cbc.ca/player/play/...

We'll see you next week in #Toronto 📚 Moderated by journalist Jessica Johnson, the event brings together Ray Robertson (The Right to be Wrong) and Ira Wells (On Book Banning) to examine why access to books and ideas matter and what’s at stake when reading is constrained. buff.ly/6AD4rmJ

Who is on the frontlines of free expression? Starting today, you can submit a nomination of anyone whose work has advanced freedom of expression in Canada. This may include authors, concerned citizens, journalists, librarians, professors, public servants, scientists, whistleblowers, and others.

🎟️ This Freedom to Read Week event is free, you can register on Eventbrite: buff.ly/xkzvAAg