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About the Event

Politics and the Pen is a grand celebration of Canadian political and literary cultures.

We look forward to celebrating with you! Politics and the Pen is a highlight of the capital’s social calendar and an important annual fundraising event benefiting Writers’ Trust. The event regularly attracts 500 guests from Canada’s political and literary circles. To date, Politics and the Pen has raised more than $5 million to support Writers’ Trust literary programs.

Held at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa, Politics and the Pen / la politique et l'écrit is a unique fundraiser bringing together national politicians, talented writers, prominent diplomats, and notable arts and business leaders all in support of Writers’ Trust mandate to advance, nurture, and celebrate Canadian writers and writing. The highlight of the evening is the presentation of the $25,000 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing, named in honour of the spirited and inspiring parliamentarian and generously supported by CN.

Writers' Trust of Canada extends enormous thanks to Politics and the Pen co-chairs Elizabeth Gray-Smith and Patrick Kennedy, and to committee members Jim Armour, Hardave Birk, Maureen Boyd, Heather Bradley, Dan Mader, and Rob Rosenfeld.

2024 Politics and the Pen Co-Hosts

The Honourable Jason Kenney

The Honourable Jason Kenney recently completed a 25-year career in public service. He was first elected to Parliament in 1997, was re-elected six times, and served in key opposition roles including shadow finance minister. As a senior member of the Harper government, he led some of the largest federal departments as Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism; Minister of Employment and Social Development; and Minister of National Defence, while chairing the influential Cabinet Operations Committee. He was also the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s first president and CEO. In 2016, Hon. Kenney launched a successful campaign to unite Alberta’s free enterprise parties and went on to win a landslide majority to become Alberta’s eighteenth premier. He is currently a senior advisor at Bennett Jones LLP and Teneo, a Senior Fellow of the C.D. Howe Institute, and a member of several corporate boards.

Kathleen Wynne

Kathleen Wynne served in public office from 2003 until 2022 and was elected as Ontario’s 25th premier in 2013. She began her political career as a public school board trustee in Toronto. As the MPP for Don Valley West, she served as Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Minister of Transportation, Minister of Education, and Minister of Agriculture and Food. Wynne was the first female premier of Ontario and Canada’s first openly gay head of government. She is currently the Hon. Newton W. Rowell Professor at University of Toronto’s Victoria College and is an organizer and facilitator of a number of grassroots community initiatives. She lives in Alliston, Ontario.

2023 Platinum Sponsors

2023 Video Sponsor

2023 Gold Sponsors

2023 Silver Sponsors

2023 Bronze Sponsors

2023 Politics and the Pen Media Partner