Wells was nominated for the Freedom to Read Award by a fellow Canadian author.
Learn more about the prize and Ira's work in the press release: writersunion.ca/news/author-...
Today, the Writers' Union of Canada announced Ira Wells as the recipient of the 2026 Freedom to Read Award.
Wells is associate professor of literature and humanities at the University of Toronto and author of On Book Banning. He also serves as President of PEN Canada.
The Centre for Free Expression has published a report on censorship in Canadian libraries, and the largest book ban in Canadian history.
Read “The Rising Demands for Censorship: Challenges Faced by Canadian Libraries in 2025” by James L. Turk here: buff.ly/Ws1Xmj1
This CFE report on book challenges finds there were:
• 322 total challenges nationwide
• 224 in school libraries (up from 13 in 2024)
• 201 books removed in Alberta following a Ministerial Order
• 74% of challenged titles targeted youth materials
• 63% of all challenges came from government action
#Canada: the Centre for Free Expression has published a comprehensive report on censorship in Canadian libraries, and the largest book ban in Canadian history:
cfe.torontomu.ca/publications...
#Canada: After the government announced a 15 percent budget cut for Correctional Services Canada over the next three years, CSC says it will eliminate all prison librarian positions.
Tanya Talaga shares what's at risk for human rights and rehabilitation:
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Via PEN International: Early this morning, a Hong Kong court overturned the 2022 fraud conviction for #JimmyLai.
However, he remains imprisoned under the National Security Law, and continues to face serious concerns for his health and wellbeing.
www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
To nominate yourself or others, please submit a brief (250-500 word) letter outlining your interest in PEN Canada and relevant experience before Monday April 13, 2026 at 4:00 pm (EST).
Early applications are encouraged as PEN will review candidates on a rolling basis, or until the roles are filled.
PEN Canada is seeking nominations for new members of its board of directors.
Board members are expected to contribute to PEN’s activities, attend and participate in quarterly board meetings, and take part in committee work as needed.
Learn more: buff.ly/iCsS5JS
Announcing the readers for our upcoming Voices of Freedom event.
On March 18, you'll hear from Rukhshana Ahmadi (Hazara writer), Ali Sobati (Iranian poet, translator, and literary activist), and Hazrat Wahriz (leading a network of schools for girls in Afghanistan).
🎟️ Free tickets: buff.ly/n1sDYR9
Today marks four years since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of #Ukraine.
Since then, at least 263 cultural figures have been killed by Russian forces.
In a new essay, Volodymyr Yermolenko (President of PEN Ukraine) reflects life during war: www.pen-international.org/news/volodym...
PEN Canada is seeking nominations for its Board of Directors.
Board members are expected to contribute to PEN’s activities, attend and participate in quarterly board meetings, and take part in committee work as needed.
Learn more and apply: pencanada.ca/news/call-fo...
Now in its fifth year, previous winners of this prize include paralegals, a private citizen, a media development organization, and a freelance journalist.
Learn more about the Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize and its previous recipients:
pencanada.ca/advocacy-aid...
📅 Deadline for nominations: Thursday July 2, 2026.
If you made a nomination in previous years which was not selected by the jury, you are encouraged to resubmit that same nominee.
Fill out the nomination form here: buff.ly/31I21qf
Do you know a Canadian who helped a threatened foreign writer?
Over the next few months, consider nominating them for the 2026 Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize.
The winner will receive $3,000 CAD and be recognized at the PEN Canada awards ceremony later this year.
On #BookBans — the last few years have seen lots of books removed from schools, libraries and bookstores.
The latest episode of The Chapter has Kudakwashe Rutendo and Mirian Njoh weigh in on the topic, discussing influential challenged titles from their own lives:
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
We'll see you next week in #Toronto 📚
Moderated by journalist Jessica Johnson, the event brings together Ray Robertson (The Right to be Wrong) and Ira Wells (On Book Banning) to examine why access to books and ideas matter and what’s at stake when reading is constrained.
buff.ly/6AD4rmJ
If you made a nomination in previous years that was not selected by the jury, you are encouraged to resubmit that same nominee.
Submit a nomination form here: pencanada.ca/nominations-...
📅 DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS: Thursday July 2, 2026.
Previous winners include Samira Mohyeddin (journalist; broadcaster), Shree Paradkar (columnist; equity advocate), Brandi Morin (documentarian), Amber Bracken (photojournalist), Franke James (artist, activist), Desmond Cole (journalist), and Justin Brake (journalist):
pencanada.ca/defend-expre...
Who is on the frontlines of free expression?
Starting today, you can submit a nomination of anyone whose work has advanced freedom of expression in Canada.
This may include authors, concerned citizens, journalists, librarians, professors, public servants, scientists, whistleblowers, and others.
🎟️ This Freedom to Read Week event is free, you can register on Eventbrite: buff.ly/xkzvAAg
Save the date for our next Voices of Freedom reading event, featuring new work by members of the PEN Canada Writers in Exile.
🗓️ Wednesday March 18, 2026
⏰ 7:00 – 8:00 pm
📍 Alumni Hall, Victoria College (91 Charles St W, Toronto)
🎟️ Free, tickets available through Eventbrite: buff.ly/8CNua6v
#Guatemala: Journalist #JoseRubénZamora has now spent 1,295 days in arbitrary detention.
Today, the Second Court has the opportunity to deliver justice and allow him to face the spurious charges against him in freedom.
We invite you to explore an indispensable resource – PEN International’s handbook, A Guide to Defending Writers at Risk.
This manual is designed for PEN members, supporters and activists to plan and implement advocacy, campaigning, and media strategy in the fight for human rights.
buff.ly/XhkB8k0
🎟️ This Freedom to Read Week event is free, you can register on Eventbrite: buff.ly/xkzvAAg
Together, they will examine why independent thinking is important, why access to books and ideas matter, and what’s at stake when reading is constrained.
📍 Alumni Hall (91 Charles St W, Toronto)
📅 Wednesday February 25 at 6:30 pm EST
🎟️ Free, register on Eventbrite: buff.ly/xkzvAAg
Ray Robertson's The Right to be Wrong is a vigorous defense of independent thinking in an increasingly conformist, intolerant and fundamentalist world.
Ira Wells' On Book Banning provides a history of literary repression and argues today's censorship trivializes art and undermines democracy.
A timely conversation about the freedom to read and why intellectual risk is necessary in society.
This free event will be moderated by leading journalist and editor, Jessica Johnson, bringing together two award-winning writers, Ray Robertson (The Right to be Wrong) and Ira Wells (On Book Banning).
Jimmy Lai’s case cannot be viewed in isolation — it is emblematic of systematic erosion.
Once a global centre for independent media and open debate, Hong Kong has been transformed into a jurisdiction where writers face criminal prosecution for their work:
www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
PEN America: The sentencing of pro-democracy activist and media mogul Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison is a catastrophic blow to free speech in Hong Kong.
pen.org/press-releas...
