Posted on 24 February 2026 by Chris Brown.
Freedom to Read Week is being recognized in libraries across Canada from Feb. 22-28, an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom.
“Despite having strong traditions of free expression and free inquiry, Canada also has a long-standing tradition of censorship. Historically, books and magazines have often been quietly removed from libraries and classrooms,” reads Librarianship.ca.
Freedom to Read Week was founded in 1984 to challenge the covert nature of censorship, creating a broader awareness of these ongoing challenges to Canadian writing. It also encourages Canadians to actively defend their right to publish, read and write freely and to widen their understanding of the negative effects of censorship, not just on readers but on writers and publishers as well. From student video contests to large public readings of challenged materials, participants have found creative and inspiring ways to show how important freedom of expression is to them.
In 2024, Freedom to Read Week entered a new chapter. It is now led by Library and Archives Canada, the Canadian Urban Libraries Council, and the Ontario Library Association in partnership with the Book and Periodical Council.
Follow us on social media: @mhpubliclibrary