February 19, 2026
For Immediate Release
Reading Event at Calgary Legion Cancelled During Freedom to Read Week
The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) and the Writers’ Guild of Alberta (WGA) are shocked and disappointed to have had a joint Freedom to Read Week event discussing censorship and book-banning cancelled by the contracted venue.
A public gathering featuring local writers reading from banned books and discussing a recent North American rise in censorship was scheduled to take place at Legion #264 in Calgary. TWUC signed a contract and made a deposit in mid-January for the February 23rd event. But, with just over a week to the planned night, Legion #264 informed organizers they were pulling the booking. The reason given:
“…aspects of the event conflict with Legion policy, which requires alignment with current government regulations and guidelines.”
“This can only be a reference to the Alberta government’s controversial school library book restrictions,” notes Kim Fahner, Chair of the Writers’ Union. “The Union has been outspokenly critical of the Alberta school bans since they were first announced. This feels like punishment for having an opinion.”
Edmonton writer Anne Bailey is President of the Writers’ Guild of Alberta. “This shocking decision from the Legion reinforces just how important it is to celebrate Freedom to Read Week and to hold events such ours,” Bailey notes. “Freedom of expression is a fundamental democratic right and the purpose of events like these is to remind all of us to be vigilant and to stand up against censorship whenever it happens.”
It has been noted that many of the titles affected by Alberta’s school policy are LGBTQI2S-themed in nature, and at least one of the planned readings at the FTR Week event is similarly themed. Tracy Dawson, writer-in-residence at the University of Calgary, will read from her book Let Me Be Frank: A Book About Women Who Dressed Like Men to Do Shit They Weren’t Supposed to Do.
In its cancellation note, Legion #264 suggested the organizer try booking at Calgary’s Centre for Sexuality “as their organization aligns closely with advocacy initiatives similar to yours.”
TWUC has reached out to the local Legion Branch and Royal Canadian Legion Provincial Command for clarification of the decision but has not heard back. In the meantime, cSpace Marda Loop, an innovative creative hub in Calgary, has stepped up to offer their venue as a replacement; so, the event will go on.
“It’s hard to believe the Royal Canadian Legion would have a policy against celebrating basic freedoms,” said Fahner. “We’d appreciate a full explanation from the Legion, as we’ve never had any trouble there in the past.”
Freedom to Read Week (February 22 – 28) is a 40+-year-old national celebration of literature threatened by censorship and banning. It is marked by bookstores, libraries, and public events across Canada, and often features pointed discussion about attempts at state censorship and book-banning.
For additional information:
Giorgia Severini, Executive Director
Writers’ Guild of Alberta
[email protected]
The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) is the national organization of professionally published writers. TWUC was founded in 1973 to work with governments, publishers, booksellers, and readers to improve the conditions of Canadian writers. With almost 3,000 members, TWUC advocates on behalf of writers’ collective interests, and delivers value to members through advocacy, community, and information. TWUC believes in a thriving, diverse Canadian culture that values and supports writers.
The Writers’ Guild of Alberta (WGA) is a provincial arts service organization that represents both professional and emerging writers in Alberta. The WGA was formed in 1980 to provide a meeting ground and collective voice for all the writers of the province. The WGA helps give Alberta writers a sense of unity and community, and is the largest provincial writers’ organization in Canada.
