Events

Graeme Gibson Talk 2026

Save-the-date for our annual event, featuring writers with expert knowledge on emergent issues.

Tickets on sale this fall.

The Power of Words: Writers in Exile

A PEN Benefit for the Joan Leishman Memorial Fund, in support of writers living in exile in Canada.

Tickets on sale this summer.

Summer Social & Book Talk with Kim Echlin

Following our Annual General Meeting, join us for a summer social and conversation with PEN International board member and Canadian novelist Kim Echlin. 

SOLD OUT / no tickets remaining.

Annual General Meeting 2026

Be the first to see our annual report, participate in the elections for new board members, and hear from one of two winners of last year’s New Voices Award. 

This event is for PEN members only. Stay afterwards for our Summer Social & Book Talk.

Voices of Freedom reading at Emmanuel College

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

Read the Room: Can Canada Survive Without a National Literature?

Publishing has collapsed in Canada — what’s at risk when a nation loses the infrastructure that sustains its stories?

SOLD OUT / no tickets remaining.

Freedom to Read: Why Society Needs Intellectual Risk

A timely conversation about the freedom to read and why intellectual risk is necessary in society.

PEN Canada Awards Night

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

Free and open to the public.

An Evening with Author Canisia Lubrin

In conversation with Souvankham Thammavongsa, join us as we celebrate Lubrin's new book, The World After Rain.

SOLD OUT / No tickets remaining.

Vancouver screening of The Showerhead

A documentary examining the work of celebrated political cartoonist, Zapiro, tracing his journey from anti-apartheid struggle-artist to his enduring role as a progressive commentator and freedom of expression champion in democratic South Africa.

The Power of the Pen in Troubled Times: Crafting Change in Apocalypse

Featuring Riley Yesno and Em Dial. Part of a webinar series on craft and purpose.

Writing out of the Abyss: Black Literature's Creative Rebellions

Featuring Roger Reeves and Georgio Russell. Part of a webinar series on craft and purpose.

Shadow Histories Across Genres

Featuring Larissa Lai and Christine Wu. Part of a webinar series on craft and purpose.

Graeme Gibson Talk: Notes on the New America

Rachel Maddow and Rebecca Solnit in conversation on the seismic changes taking place across the US political landscape.

SOLD OUT / No tickets remaining.

Uplifting Islamic Voices: An Evening of Readings

A literary evening celebrating the rich diversity of Islamic perspectives and experiences.

SOLD OUT / No tickets remaining.

Made in Exile panel at the Hot Docs Festival

Featuring Liubov Dyvak, Timeea Mohamed Ahmed, Areeb Zuaiter, and more.

Voices of Freedom reading series: June edition

Featuring Yamin Myatt Aye, Diary Marif, and Jamal Saeed.

An Evening with Jamaican writer, Olive Senior

A conversation with the award-winning Jamaican poet and novelist.

SOLD OUT / No tickets remaining.

An Evening with Marie-Célie Agnant

Agnant is a writer of poems, novels and novellas.

Ancestral Echoes: Gender, Generation, and Indo-Trinidadianness

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

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.

What can we learn about book banning from 400 years of the Catholic Church's Index of Prohibited Books?

Historian Robin Vose who addresses lessons we can learn from four centuries of failed attempts at institutional censorship by the Catholic Church—as revealed by his latest book on the chaotic and ultimately counter-productive Index of Prohibited Books.

What does the Western media get wrong about the Middle East?

What are news consumers in the West missing about the war in Gaza, the turmoil in Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan and elsewhere?

Should Political Belief and Association Be Protected by Human Rights Law?

Human rights acts in nine provinces and territories prohibit discrimination based on political belief – either broadly or narrowly defined – while four do not.

Trump's War on Truth

Three American journalists on the frontlines of this story look at the dangers -- and the road ahead.

Voices of Freedom reading series: March edition

Featuring Tala Motazedi, Andersson Boscan, and Raffi Minas.

Voices of Freedom reading at Toronto Reference Library

An evening of inspiration and storytelling with the Writers in Exile. This special 10th edition of the series will take place at a new location: the Toronto Reference Library.

SOLD OUT / No tickets remaining.

An evening with Arundhati Roy

The author celebrates her new memoir, Mother Mary Comes to Me. Featuring Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, an audience Q&A, and a book signing.

The Word on the Street Festival in Toronto

An free festival of booksellers, authors, and avid readers — come find the PEN Canada booth!

An Evening with Author Zalika Reid-Benta

The author of River Mumma and Frying Plantain.

Voices of Freedom reading: November edition

Featuring Shams Erfan, Lidiia Karpenko, and Dilan Qadir.

Burning Questions: Confronting the Challenges of our Global Climate Crisis | TIFA

With an introduction by Margaret Atwood, this year's event features John Vaillant and Catherine Abreu.

Author Readings and Book Signing for ‘The Uncaged Voice'

Featuring Arzu Yildiz, Pedro A. Restrepo, Gezahegn Mekonnen Demissie, and Mwafaq Katt.

MacLennan Lecture | Book challenges and their impact on Canadian communities

Featuring Michelle Arbuckle, Brendan de Caires, and Robin Stevenson.

Geographies of the Imagination

Featuring Britta B. and Darby Minott Bradford, along with New Voices Award winner Christine Wu.

Poetic Voices, In Bud and In Bloom

Featuring New Voices Award winner Christine Wu, along with Darby Minott Bradford and Emily Tristan Jones.

Voices of Freedom: March edition

Featuring Diary Marif, Tien Providence, Lidiia Karpenko, Paul Kumoni, and Pedro Restrepo.

Black Bodies, White Spaces

Featuring Jennifer Holness, Jennifer Hosten, and Dr. Cheryl Thompson.

Voices of Freedom: November edition

Featuring Bushra Elfadil, Kiran Nazish, Alexander Duarte and Luis Horacio Najera.

Book launch for The Uncaged Voice

The official launch of the new anthology by the PEN Canada Writers in Exile.

Voices of Freedom: September edition

Featuring Dilan Qadir, Jackleen Hanna, Ahmet Dogan and Kamal Riahi.

Raising Our Voices: Awards & Readings in Solidarity with Persecuted Writers | TIFA

A ceremony to celebrate four PEN Canada awards and draw attention to imprisoned writers.

Notes On An Invasion: Graeme Gibson Talk 2023 | TIFA

Disinformation, Dictators & Democracy: Maria Ressa & Ronald Deibert | TIFA

Featuring Maria Ressa Ronald Deibert, with an introduction by Margaret Atwood.

The Freedom to Write and to Read: Standing with Salman Rushdie | TIFA

Featuring novelist Ian McEwan, director Deepa Mehta and publisher and editor Louise Dennys.