February 25, 2026
The Writers’ Guild of Alberta and the Writers’ Union of Canada are grateful for the outpouring of support we have received in the follow-up to receiving notice that our Freedom to Read event venue (the Kensington Legion in Calgary) had cancelled our booking. A joint statement was issued from the Board of the WGA and the TWUC shortly afterwards. Stepping in, the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society was able to secure a new venue at the cSpace Marda Loop in Calgary and the event took place on February 23rd, 2026.
Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Haynes.
Our circumstances also saw an outcry across Canadian news outlets, advocacy organizations, and authors and readers alike. You can read more below, and support the Writers’ Guild of Alberta by becoming a member or donating to help support our future events advocating for writers.
City News Calgary
Calgary legion cancels reading event over censorship concerns
CBC News Calgary
Calgary legion branch cancels event about book censorship, disappointing writers’ groups
Calgary Herald
Writers’ groups criticize Legion branch for cancelling Calgary censorship event
Calgary Journal
‘This kind of thing should never happen, not in Canada’: Calgary Legion cancels event over censorship concerns
Quill & Quire Magazine
New venue hosts Calgary Freedom to Read event after Legion cancelled rental
Hot Minute Calgary
Calgary Legion Cancels Book Ban Event: When ‘Apolitical’ Becomes Political
