Giller Prize Reshaped: How Boycotts and Protests Impact Canada’s Premier Literary Awards
Giller Prize Controversy and Protests
On November 13, 2023, Sarah Bernstein won the Scotiabank Giller Prize for her novel “Study For Obedience” in Toronto. However, the award ceremony faced backlash over the Giller Foundation’s ties to Scotiabank and other funders linked to Israel.
This year’s gala changed format after last year’s protests disrupted the event. The CBC will tape the ceremony instead of broadcasting it live, though officials didn’t link this decision to the protests.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators interrupted the event last year, leading to arrests. Subsequently, authors signed a letter advocating for the protesters and calling for their charges to be dropped. Thea Lim, a former Giller finalist, expressed her concern over the situation, citing a moral obligation to speak out against what she perceives as genocide.
Authors like Lim are protesting the Giller Foundation’s sponsors, especially Scotiabank, due to its ties to Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. Other funders under scrutiny include Indigo and the Azrieli Foundation.
Some writers withdrew their books from consideration for this year’s prize amid these protests. Lim noted that despite the Foundation’s continued support from Scotiabank, it has removed the bank’s name from the award.
Elana Rabinovitch, executive director of the Giller Foundation, acknowledged the authors’ right to protest but questioned their methods. She stated that the prize’s political stance is not partisan, despite ongoing tensions.
Aliya Pabani, speaking for No Arms in the Arts, rejected Rabinovitch’s view. She specified that boycotts should not be equated with censorship, emphasizing that literary institutions hold the power to exclude authors, not protestors.
Some shortlisted authors remain tentative on their stance regarding the boycott. Anne Michaels and Anne Fleming indicated they are still processing their thoughts on the issue.
Lim highlighted that Scotiabank has partially divested from Elbit Systems, which she sees as a positive step. She believes the movement has fostered new opportunities for authors to connect and advocate for change.
The Giller Prize winner receives $100,000, with finalists awarded $10,000. This year’s other shortlisted authors include Conor Kerr and Deepa Rajagopalan. Their works also share a platform for discussions about funding in the arts and the impact of sponsorship.