After 35 years in The Writers' Union of Canada, I am no longer a member. These are the reason I gave TWUC yesterday:
"I have been a member continuously since 1991. Am no longer feeling any connection to or camaraderie with this organization. TWUC has become more corporate in its tone and structure.
The loss of in-person AGMs is a big deal-breaker for me. My best memories and strongest bonds with fellow TWUCers are from those AGMs as well as the large regional gatherings we used to have in BC and particularly Vancouver Island.
Zoom is bullshit - a deliberate ploy to weaken these bonds and true camaraderie.
Also TWUC is cleaving too closely to official narrative and failing to act on censorship because of that.
There was massive censorship during Covid - of scientists, researchers, doctors and writers, including our own members such as myself, and Art Joyce, and others who tried to write, speak and post on the topic in our lives and our careers as authors. Art sought to submit a motion having TWUC at least stand up for free speech on these issues. It never made it to the AGM.
Anyway, this organization is no longer representative of my values, my interests in free speech, or in building (or even just preserving) the vibrant, dynamic, boisterous tribe of authors we once were."
Kim Goldberg