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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

Annual General Meeting 2026

June 11, 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.

Summer Social & Book Talk with Kim Echlin

June 11, 2026

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.

Voices of Freedom reading at Emmanuel College

March 18, 2026

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

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Legacy Event: the Graeme Gibson Talk

023 PEN Canada Graeme Gibson Talk 20230924 HC 735x400

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.

The Latest

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

News & Statements

PEN publishes 2025 annual report, A Place At The Table: 100 Years of PEN in Canada

PEN Canada strongly condemns the intimidation of journalist Rachel Gilmore

Call for nominations for board of directors, Fundraising & Events Chair

Applications open for 2026 PEN Canada-Humber Polytechnic Writers-in-Exile Scholarship

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

Events

Annual General Meeting 2026

Summer Social & Book Talk with Kim Echlin

Voices of Freedom reading at Emmanuel College

Legacy Event: the Graeme Gibson Talk

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

Blog

Between Tehran and Toronto: Atefeh Khademolreza on community, writing, and her Humber scholarship

Meet the jury for two PEN awards, the 2026 Ken Filkow and Marie-Ange Garrigue prizes

'A voice for voiceless people': Diary Marif on his 2025 Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize

Reading Rupi in Lethbridge

Writing where silence breaks

Newsletters

The latest at PEN Canada

The latest at PEN Canada

Big, bright news from PEN Writers in Exile