Current Initiatives
Call to Action
Tell the government Canada's writers need a raise on PLR! We call on the government to fulfill its promise and double the PLR program budget from $15 million to $30 million. Add your voice.
Accessibility
TWUC applies its accessibility policy to all Union activities, and calls for the same principles to be broadly adopted across the writing and publishing sector.
Artificial Intelligence
TWUC calls for best legal and ethical practices from AI companies.
Basic Income Guarantee
TWUC advocates for a Basic Income Guarantee that would help to stabilize authors’ earning patterns and provide the stability necessary to continue creating
Canadian Books in Schools
TWUC calls for legislative solutions in all provinces to ensure Canadian authored and published books are a substantial part of school curricula and reading lists.
Copyright
TWUC advocates for strong and fair copyright legislation in Canada and around the world in order to ensure writers maintain control of their work and are paid fairly for its use.
COVID-19 Relief
TWUC responds to the devastating economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and advocates for author eligibility for emergency relief funds.
Deep Discounts
TWUC advises authors to carefully examine the royalty percentages section of their publishing contract, and to negotiate a higher discount amount as a trigger for any royalty reduction.
Equity & Inclusion
All of TWUC’s activities are informed by equity principles, and TWUC calls for the same principles to be broadly adopted across the writing and publishing sector.
Fair Contracts
TWUC advocates for contract terms that fairly reflect the labour behind authors’ works, the ownership of their copyright, and changing practical realities within the publishing industry.
Federal Budget
TWUC submits strategic recommendations to the federal government’s pre-budget consultations.
Freedom to Read
TWUC has long fought state censorship restrictions on which works individuals can access and read. TWUC believes the freedom to read is a cornerstone to a free society.
Funding for Translation
TWUC has met with national and provincial arts funding agencies to encourage increased access to translation funding as part of all creation grant programs.
International
While TWUC advocacy is focused mainly on Canada, we are increasingly active internationally, working with colleague and partner organizations to encourage and protect professional creation.
Morals Clauses in Contracts
TWUC is advocating with the publishing sector to remove morals clauses from their contracts on the basis that these clauses unduly constrain authors, and can render them powerless to protect their work and incomes in the face of frivolous accusations of immoral or illegal behaviour.
Piracy
TWUC advocates for stronger laws and regulations to discourage and punish acts of illegal copying and sharing of created works.
Public Lending Right
TWUC continues to advocate for improvements to Canada’s Public Lending Right program, and joins with our international colleagues in encouraging the development of PLR systems across the globe.
Respectful Workplaces in the Arts
TWUC advocates for respectful workplaces as the norm in the cultural sector.
School Libraries
TWUC is advocating with the library sector for increased government funding aimed directly at the maintenance and building of school library spaces, and the retention of professional school librarians.
Self-Publishing and Independent Authors
TWUC has developed a number of resources aimed at authors who self-publish or who are considering going that route.
Taxes for Writers
TWUC advocates for progressive tax policies that recognize the special nature of writers' incomes.
