Supporting the written-word sector in Canada with collaboration, knowledge sharing, and capacity building.
The Book and Periodical Council was formed in 1975 as the Book and Periodical Development Council to provide a venue for members to discuss industry issues, address mutual concerns and undertake projects for the benefit of Canadian writing and publishing.
The BPC is the umbrella organization for Canadian associations that are or whose members are primarily involved with the writing, editing, translating, publishing, producing, distributing, lending, marketing, reading and selling of written words.
One of the primary goals of the Book and Periodical Council is to function as a forum for its member associations to network, identify common goals and coordinate action to benefit the Canadian writing and publishing industry.
Next Learning & Development Session
Book Censorship in Alberta
February 26, 2026 | Online | 2:00pm ET
In January 2026, dozens of books were removed from school library shelves across Alberta, prompted by a new provincial order. While some are calling it the largest school book ban in Canadian history, the Minister of Education maintains, “this is not a book ban.” So, what’s really going on in Alberta?
In this presentation, Spencer Miller endeavours to explain exactly how we got here, what books are disappearing off shelves, and what’s being done to resist the spread of book censorship.
With special thanks to our Speaker Sponsor, the Literary Press Group of Canada.
Leadership
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Victoria Buchy, Managing Director
Book and Periodical Council
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Nic Brewer, Chair
Artistic Programming Director, League of Canadian Poets
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Lauren Stewart, Vice-Chair
President & CEO, BookNet Canada
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Michelle Arbuckle, Past Chair
Executive Director, Ontario Library Association
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Siobhan O'Connor, Treasurer
COO, The Writers’ Union of Canada
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Kate Edwards, Board member
Chief Executive Officer, Access Copyright
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Annie Gibson, Board member
Publisher, Playwrights Canada Press
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Lauren Perruzza, Board member
Executive Director, Literary Press Group
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Brandi Tanner, Board member
Administrative Director, Canadian Authors Association