Ken Filkow Prize

For champions of freedom of expression.

The Ken Filkow Prize recognizes an individual or institution in Canada who has advanced freedom of expression in Canada, and shown courage in freeing information and ideas from restraint or interference.

The annual award, valued at $2,000, was introduced in 2014. It is named in memory of Kenneth A. Filkow, a former member of PEN’s Canadian and Legal Affairs Committee and former Chair of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission. The prize is generously funded by Cynthia Wine and Philip Slayton.

In the fall of every year, PEN holds an awards ceremony in Toronto to honour and recognize the valuable assistance the recipient provided.

Who may I nominate?

Nominees may be anyone, including authors, journalists, public servants, scientists, professors, business people, editors, publishers, organizations or concerned citizens who have made significant advances in freedom of expression in Canada.

In the case of individuals, special consideration will be given to those whose actions have demonstrated personal courage that may have involved putting personal interests on the line (career advancement, reputation, ties of family or friendship, etc.). In the case of organizations, special consideration will be given to those who have acted in a way that protected freedom of expression despite potential damage to their or their members’ financial or other interests.

Nominations are currently closed, and will reopen in early 2025.

2024 Prize Recipient: Shree Paradkar

Shree Paradkar is an award-winning journalist and equity advocate.

Paradkar is a race and social justice columnist at The Toronto Star, where she also served as the first internal ombud in a newsroom in Canada, a position created to develop an anti-racist newsroom. Over the last 8 years, her Star column has tackled divisive, challenging topics, including police violence, anti-Black racism, the persistence of Islamophobia, the threat to LGBTQ+ rights, residential schools, anti-Indigenous racism, and the chill on Palestine advocacy.

Jury Citation

Nominated for this award by her fellow journalists at the Star and elsewhere, Paradkar is regarded as a leader who shines a light on the marginalized and under-represented; her active and committed support of young journalists of colour is fundamental to expanding free expression for those who are often excluded from the means to articulate marginalized experiences of an unequal society. She regularly writes about politically divisive issues, and faces constant criticism and harassment for her fearless advocacy. Her columns have tens of thousands of readers. Paradkar is committed to free expression and she inspires others.

In 2024, the jury also shortlisted two finalists: Saba Eitizaz and Indiginews.

Saba Eitizaz is an award-winning multimedia journalist, and the co-host and producer of the flagship Toronto Star podcast, This Matters. Indiginews is an Indigenous-led online publication that practices trauma-informed, culturally relevant and respectful journalism on and by Indigenous people.

Past Winners