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January 27, 2026

PEN launches Joan Leishman Memorial Fund, creating opportunity and support for writers in exile

Joan Leishman was a remarkable journalist, humanitarian, and cherished mentor to members of the PEN Canada Writers in Exile group. Created in her honour, the fund is the organization’s first fund dedicated to providing critical assistance and creating opportunities for writers living in exile in Canada.

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News & Statements

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Events

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Voices of Freedom reading at Victoria College

March 18, 2026

Save-the-date for an evening of inspiration and storytelling from the PEN Writers in Exile.

Readers to be announced.

EVENTBRITEFACEBOOK Awards Night Poster (4)

PEN Canada Awards Night

November 28, 2025

Our annual event celebrating a year of advocacy, literature and free expression.

Free and open to the public.

EVENTBRITEFACEBOOK Awards Night Poster (1)

How is the attack on arts and culture in the U.S. impacting Canada?

November 20, 2025

An online panel exploring what unprecedented attacks on arts and culture in the U.S. mean for Canada and for our artists, writers, and cultural organizations.

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Legacy Event: the Graeme Gibson Talk

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An annual conversation between writers with expert knowledge of an urgent political, social, cultural or economic issue.

Previous speakers include John Vaillant (Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast), Catherine Abreu (global climate policy expert), Maria Ressa (Nobel laureate), Ron Deibert (Citizen Lab founder), Omar El Akkad (One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This) and Margaret Atwood.