The literary prize’s reputation has been tarnished due to recent events that have nothing to do with Canadian literature, the prize, or its recipients
Protesters are escorted out of the Four Seasons Hotel by the police after interrupting the Scotiabank Giller Prize ceremony in Toronto, on Nov. 13, 2023.Among Canadian literary awards, the Scotiabank Giller Prize is the big kahuna: the best known and the biggest monetary prize available exclusively to a Canadian author. It also has a
The letter demands that the prize not only drop its relationship with Scotiabank, but that the Giller Foundation use its “organizational leverage” to pressure Scotiabank to fully divest from Elbit . Ms. Reisman is also criticized for donating to Hillel, which provides on-campus support to Jewish postsecondary students . Hillel also fights antisemitism on campus .
Whataboutism can be a futile exercise. But here’s a terrible thing: There are people who suspect the Giller is being targeted not just because of its sponsor, but because theby a philanthropist named Jack Rabinovitch and is now run by his daughter, Elana Rabinovitch. Rabinovitch is an obviously Jewish name.
My fear is these companies will pick up their toys and go home. Who loses? The artists who could use the financial and promotional boost. Also the readers, who will lose exposure to good Canadian books.
Column Opinion Marsha Lederman Lederman Pleasemod
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