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Two Alberta writers’ groups say they are “shocked and disappointed” after a Calgary venue abruptly cancelled an event to discuss censorship and book bans, citing conflicts with government regulations.
The event, which has since been rebooked in a new venue and is set to feature writers reading from banned books, was previously scheduled to take place at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 264 in the northwest community of Kensington.
In a notice to organizers, provided to Postmedia by the Writers’ Union of Canada, Legion 264 said it could no longer host the event due to “organizational policies.”
“After reviewing the full scope and nature of the event, we regret to inform you that we are unable to proceed with hosting it,” the notice states. “While the event was initially presented to us as a speaker-based gathering, the additional information shared has clarified that aspects of the event conflict with Legion policy, which requires alignment with current government regulations and guidelines.”
According to the Writers’ Union, a contract was signed and a deposit paid in mid-January to secure the space for their group and the Writers’ Guild of Alberta. The cancellation came just more than a week before the event, set to take place on Feb. 23.
Excerpts of the notice also suggest organizers consider moving the event to the Centre for Sexuality, a non-profit that supports members of Calgary’s LGBTQ+ community.
“(Centre for Sexuality) aligns closely with advocacy initiatives similar to yours,” the Legion’s message states.
The Writers’ Union said the event will go ahead at cSpace Marda Loop in southwest Calgary.
Tracy Dawson, writer-in-residence at the University of Calgary, is set to read an excerpt from her book Let Me Be Frank: A Book About Women Who Dressed Like Men to Do S — They Weren’t Supposed to Do.
Dawson said she was upset by the cancellation notice over the weekend.
“What does the Centre for Sexuality have to do with the freedom to read?” she said. “There just seemed to be subtext there that really started to make me feel pretty upset.
“I was shaken,” she added. “I couldn’t believe (it).”
Philip Petty, general manager of the local Legion branch, said that after obtaining a copy of the event’s agenda, the Legion came to an understanding that participants would be asked to contact MLAs about reversing the Alberta government’s decision on the removal of certain books from schools.
“As an apolitical organization that does not host petitions, or political actions of this nature, the branch canceled the booking,” Petty said in a statement.
“The branch simply offered the suggestion of a local organization that deals directly with the main topic of the books being removed by the province and was near (the) branch.”
John Degen, CEO of the Writers’ Union of Canada, said his “strongest reaction is confusion” to the venue’s decision.
“The Royal Canadian Legion branches that I’m most familiar with, I don’t believe they have a policy like this, and in fact they are very welcoming and open and inclusive in terms of the activities that they allow, as long as they’re legal,” Degen said in an interview.
Degen said the reasons provided for the cancellation were “vague,” but appear to allude to the content of the event and the union’s criticism of Alberta government policies restricting certain books in school libraries.
The Writers’ Union has been outspoken in its opposition to Alberta’s school library book restrictions, which have drawn controversy for affecting titles with LGBTQ+ themes. The union noted that at least one of the works scheduled to be read at the event contains such themes.
Degen added the timing of the cancellation is “unfortunate,” pointing to the event being held as part of Freedom to Read Week — a national celebration of literature threatened by censorship and banning. “They should never be doing this, but this is the one week where they absolutely shouldn’t be doing it,” he said.
Kim Fahner, chair of the Writers’ Union of Canada, also drew a connection between the cancellation and provincial policy.
“The union has been outspokenly critical of the Alberta school bans since they were first announced,” Fahner said in a news release. “This feels like punishment for having an opinion.
“It’s hard to believe the Royal Canadian Legion would have a policy against celebrating basic freedoms,” Fahner added, noting the union has “never had any trouble” with holding events at the branch in the past.
