The Writers' Union of Canada supports legislation that guarantees respect for creators' rights. To this end, the Union is at the table of all levels of government and is active in current campaigns to ensure that writers' voices are heard and their writing is protected. The Union presents briefs to government bodies and issues press releases to the media and sector partners to represent the interest of writers and to increase knowledge and awareness of the issues facing writers in Canada. Protecting the freedom to write and publish has always been a cornerstone of the Union's principles. In an effort to recognize the efforts of individuals who also support this goal the Union established the Freedom to Read Award in 1999.

Also see The Awakening.
Also see Achievements.

Writers' Union deplores Toronto District School Board's decision to remove Extraordinary Evil, A Brief History of Genocide from reading list
The Writers' Union of Canada strongly endorses Barbara Coloroso’s appeal of your decision to remove her work, Extraordinary Evil, a Brief History of Genocide from your reading list. We are surprised that, as educators, you are somewhat slow at learning lessons. Have you already forgotten the outrage created amongst parents, educators, librarians and writers when Three Wishes was removed from the Silver Birch award list, following a complaint from the Canadian Jewish Congress? You even ignored a committee recommendation to retain Three Wishes on a limited basis. READ MORE

Damn Lies and Statistics
One thing clear in the debate raised by Michael Geist’s recent opinion piece (Hill Times, Nov. 12) is the truism that one man’s statistics are another man’s lies. The tenor of the piece that all is fine even for artists in the music industry and that incorrect statistics are being peddled by government departments (Industry) is an unfortunate simplification that leaves creators out in the cold.

Not only do we, as artists, know the trap of allowing statistics to describe our actual economic situation, Geist reminds us of the danger of allowing them to define copyright law. We are aware of several authoritative sources that have refuted the statistics and the studies he quotes. What is more, whether they are right or wrong, the necessity of intelligently figuring out how creators and citizens can use the Internet in each other's best interests will not disappear. We still need to create an approach that respects creators’ rights, allows access (something artists need as much as consumers), and ensures that creators receive appropriate payment for their work.

In all the arguments about large corporate interests at war with consumers on the field of copyright, it is often forgotten that creators own the field.

Your truly,

Deborah Windsor
Executive Director, The Writers' Union of Canada

John Degen
Executive Director, Professional Writers Association of Canada

David Bezmozgis on Status and the Ontario Election
We artists like to accuse our politicians of being unsympathetic to the arts. In the vernacular, it's said that politicians simply don't "get" the arts. The current Ontario election campaign would appear to contradict this. Outfitted with statistics and figures, our politicians have praised the billions of dollars' worth of revenue generated by
the "artistic sector". The arts have been applauded for their role in fostering cultural vibrancy, creativity, and innovation. There's been a general consensus that a healthy society needs the arts. None of the candidates have, like the notorious Joseph Goebbels, heard the word culture and reached, even metaphorically, for their revolvers. Rather, all the parties have pledged varying degrees of support to the arts foundations, cultural institutions, and the ailing school system, where the province's children, lacking books and librarians - not to mention music, art, and drama teachers - have exhibited is concertingly low rates of literacy. READ MORE