Upcoming Event

Join us for an unforgettable evening of community and purpose. Together, we will celebrate the life of beloved CBC reporter and humanitarian Joan Leishman while building a vital legacy of support for writers in exile living in Canada.

Be part of a lively gathering of journalists, authors, and artists. Bid on works of art and unique literary experiences. Hors d’oeuvres, wine, and freedom of expression are on the menu.

This event is proudly supported by CBC.

Tickets

Priority Ticket Access:  Tickets will officially go on sale this summer. Because space is limited for this exclusive evening, we’re opening a priority waitlist. To secure your chance to purchase tickets the moment they go on sale, email queries@pencanada.ca with the subject line “The Power of Words: Keep Me Posted.”

More about the Fund

The Joan Leishman Memorial Fund provides urgent assistance and critical support directly to exiled writers living in Canada and, in special cases, their family members.

Learn more + make a donation.

Who are the PEN Canada Writers in Exile?

With over 100 journalists, poets, editors, novelists, essayists, playwrights and translators, this is a community across Canada who have fled threats or persecution in their homelands related to their work.

Learn more about the program to refer a writer to us, join as a member, or get involved as a volunteer.