Press Releases

 
Public Events Planned Across Canada in Support of 2010 Freedom to Read Week
Toronto, Feb. 11, 2010 — Public readings, contests and panel discussions will be held across Canada as part of the 2010 Freedom to Read Week (Feb. 21st to 27th). These events are a great opportunity for Canadians to express themselves on the issue of censorship and the right to free speech and opinion.

“We need to continually remind Canadians that a basic right they take for granted can, and will be, eroded if we don’t guard against it,” said Marg Anne Morrison, Chair of the Freedom of Expression Committee. “That is why Freedom to Read Week is so important — it brings the issue out in the open for debate, discussion and scrutiny.”

A complete list of events and locations is available at www.freedomtoreadweek.ca/events.

Around the world censorship continues to be a major human rights concern. In Canada, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms ensures the fundamental freedoms of thought, belief, opinion and expression. Yet many times these rights conflict with cultural claims or the beliefs of over-zealous groups and individuals. Books and magazines have frequently been removed from public libraries and schools as a result of challenges or complaints from such groups. Even in Canada, journalists and broadcasters are often faced with censure, lawsuits or other attempts to silence them.

Freedom to Read Week is organized by the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee, which has just been awarded the 2010 Les Fowlie Intellectual Freedom Award by the Ontario Library Association. The Award recognizes the committee’s work in promoting intellectual freedom for all Canadians.

The Committee also produces an annual publication called Freedom to Read which reviews issues of censorship, freedom of expression and access to Canadian books and periodicals. An educators’ section is also included for teachers, librarians and the community at large.

To learn more about Freedom to Read Week, and for details on all events, please visit www.freedomtoread.ca.

For more information, contact
Book and Periodical Council
416-975-9366 or publicity@theBPC.ca