What is the issue?
The Writers’ Union of Canada recognizes that various historic and structural inequities, due to discrimination based on age, class, cultural or linguistic background, disability, economic status, gender, gender identity, race, religion, and sexual orientation, have created barriers to access within writing and publishing, and in society as a whole.
What TWUC is doing
TWUC has developed an Equity Policy that integrates equity principles into our decision-making regarding policies, practices, programs, partnerships, and services, and is intended to help the organization address systemic barriers and historic challenges within the organization and the writing and publishing sector. Equity and diversity principles inform all activities of the Union.
TWUC developed an internal Equity Implementation Plan that translates policy intentions into concrete actions. TWUC has an active Equity Task Force that works to inform the Union and track equity initiatives in the broader community.
TWUC is actively creating space for historically marginalized writers within our community, including through equity initiatives in our readings programs and dedicated programming including mentorship, networking, and panel discussions.
What you can do
Review TWUC’s Equity Policy, and apply these standards to your own work.
Further reading
- TWUC’s Equity Policy
- Sorrow and Support to Indigenous Communities Victimized by Canada's Residential School System (2021) – TWUC's statement on the residential school system
- Addressing Anti-Black Racism in Canadian Writing & Publishing (2020) – Anti-racism recommendations from Black writers
- Solidarity Against Anti-Black Racism (2020) – TWUC’s statement about anti-Black racism
- Solidarity Against Hate (2020) – Asian Canadian Writers’ Workshop statement about anti-Asian racism, signed by TWUC
- BIPOC Writers Connect – information about professional development program for emerging BIPOC writers jointly hosted by TWUC and the League of Canadian Poets
Stronger Together
TWUC’s advocacy is most effective as the collective voice of Canada’s professional authors. We are stronger together. If you are not already a member of TWUC and are working as a writer, consider joining the Union. If you wish to support TWUC’s advocacy outside of membership, consider donating to the Union.
TWUC’s advocacy is most effective as the collective voice of Canada’s professional authors. We are stronger together. If you are not already a member of TWUC and are working as a writer, consider joining the Union. If you wish to support TWUC’s advocacy outside of membership, consider donating to the Union.
