The Canadian Freelance Guild has launched. Professional Writers Association of Canada members have received our emails, inviting us to join. A PWAC member for more than three decades, I’ve found deciding whether or not to continue my commitment through this transition to the CFG extremely challenging. I submitted my resignation from PWAC’s board of directors, effective today, April 1. And I’ve decided not to become a CFG member. Members of PWAC and of our board have all been extremely understanding and respectful of my perspective. After I ceased active freelance writing, I maintained my PWAC membership because I wanted to support Canada’s freelance community. The new CFG is part of a labour union. When I was a high school teacher, I was active in the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, representing my school at our local branch in various capacities over the years. That activity makes my support for organized labour clear. I don’t feel right joining the CFG, though, simply because labour unions get their members’ dues from their members’ earnings, and I have not earned any significant sums from freelance writing for a very long time. My trying to show my support for the freelance community by becoming a CFG member would be counterproductive, I believe. The CFG needs members who are active freelancers, and I know, as I keyboard, active freelancers are clicking through to join. Here’s the link. I wish the CFG every success.

PWAC/CMG-Freelance Transition Committee, February 6, 2020: from left (back) Scott Edmonds, George Butters, David Petrie, Paul Verhaegh, Ellen Michelson, Don Genova, Carmel Smyth, Gerry Whelan; (front) Anna Bianca Roach, Trudy Kelly Forsythe, Christine Peets, Kathe Lieber, Doreen Pendgracs, Lisa Caroglanian Dorazio

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