SIMPOSIO DE LAFONTAINE - BALDWIN

At The Ismaili Centre in Toronto, JRS joined Haroon Siddiqui, editorial page editor emeritus of the Toronto Star and former President of PEN Canada, in conversation about Siddiqui’s new book My Name is Not Harry. “Veteran Toronto Star editor Haroon Siddiqui, brown and Muslim, has spent a life on the media front lines, covering conflicts […]

JRS, The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson, Leena Manimekalai and John Greyson discussed Greyson’s award-winning short film “International Dawn Chorus Day” at The Ageless Film Festival in Toronto. The event was moderated by Kaveh Shahrooz and co-hosted by The Ageless International Film Festival, HotDocs, PEN Canada, Rainbow Railroad and the Centre for Free Expression. “International Dawn […]

“Knowledge, the Enlightenment believed, could protect us from the follies of ideology. But John Ralston Saul maintains that ‘knowing’ has not made us ‘conscious.’ Instead we have become increasingly passive, our society increasingly conformist. There are no easy solutions to this problem, Saul says, but change is still possible.” In celebration of Massey College’s 60th […]

“In recognition of his award-winning contributions to Canadian literature, his philosophies on social justice, interdisciplinary study, freedom of expression, and championing of Indigenous rights, the university proudly confers upon Mr. John Ralston Saul the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.”  

Founded in 1907, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) represents architects and architecture across the country. The RAIC’s Honorary Membership recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the influence of architecture and architects in Canada and internationally.  

March 11, 2023 marked the 175th anniversary of Canadian Democracy. JRS is joined by CBC Journalist Omayra Issa and Kia Dunn of Ecotrust Canada to discuss questions like: How well Canada has lived up to the ideals set out in 1848? What does the future of Canadian democracy look like?

H. Masud Taj is an oral poet, calligrapher, architect and professor at Carleton University’s School of Architecture and Center for the Study of Islam. You can see more of Taj’s remarkable work on his website.  

On March 11, 1848, Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine and Robert Baldwin were asked by Governor General Lord Elgin to form a government because they had the confidence of the House of Commons. This first Canadian democratic government put in place official bilingualism, advanced public education and laid the foundations of our contemporary immigration and citizenship policies.

JRS explique la mission de l’organisme Le français pour l’avenir, qui célèbre ses 25 ans, et l’importance de la langue française au Canada.

JRS is joined by Eugene Benson, Zilla Jones, Rick Revelle and Anna Marie Sewell in contributing their perspectives on whether it is time to rename the Governor General’s Literary Awards for the Fall 2022 issue of Write. Write is The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) quarterly magazine available exclusively to its members. If you are […]

JRS is joined by The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Louise Dennys, Sturla Gunnarsson, Deepa Mehta, Ric Young and Bob Rae to talk about freedom of expression at The Ageless Film Festival in Toronto.

This piece was adapted from JRS’s opening remarks made at the reading of Rushdie’s work at the Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) at Harbourfront Centre on Sept. 27, 2022.

Following the brutal attack on Salman Rushdie, JRS delivered the opening remarks at an event co-organized by the Toronto International Festival of Authors, PEN Canada, Penguin Random House Canada and Writers’ Trust of Canada. JRS’s remarks were followed by a solidarity reading from Rushdie’s works by Margaret Atwood, The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson, John Irving, […]

“The International Network of Parliamentary Properties (INPP) is a global community of professionals and experts dedicated to exchanging and sharing knowledge regarding the conservation, restoration and rehabilitation of heritage parliamentary buildings. Its purpose is to foster engagement and collaboration with a global community of peers with particular experience and expertise in dealing with complex parliamentary […]

The Toronto Star asked JRS and a number of other writers and prominent Canadians to put into words what they believe the flag symbolizes. You can read all the essays here: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/2022/07/01/we-asked-prominent-canadians-what-the-maple-leaf-flag-means-to-them-heres-what-they-said.html

This month is the 50th anniversary of the creation of the international environmental movement led by the Canadian, Maurice Strong.

Block 2 Architectural Competition The Block 2 design competition was an international architectural competition for the city block immediately south of Parliament Hill. The winning design will directly face Centre Block and the Peace Tower and complete the fourth side of Parliament Square. The independent jury, chaired by Bruce Haden and Anne McIlroy, was a […]

JRS’s home garden intentionally mirrors the people and place where he lives by deliberately featuring plants that exist naturally in the northern hemisphere. The documentary series is broadcast on VisionTV.

À la lumière de la guerre en Ukraine et des manifestations contre les mesures sanitaires, JRS propose des pistes de solution pour protéger et renforcer nos démocraties aujourd’hui.

JRS delivered the keynote address at the PEN International Centenary Congress in September 2021. JRS spoke about his time as International President (2009-2015) and the continuing importance of PEN’s work fighting for freedom of expression, the rights of writers (including, crucially, those in prison or exile) and support for Indigenous and minority languages.