[1] Politically, it was a forum for thinkers such as Frank Underhill, F. R. Scott, Ramsay Cook, Mel Watkins, John Alan Lee, Eugene Forsey[1] and Robert Fulford.
[6] Poetry and short stories by Irving Layton, Earle Birney, A. J. M. Smith, Helen Weinzweig, Margaret Atwood,[1] Al Purdy and E. J. Pratt,[7] appeared[6] as well as editorials,[8] reviews and articles discussing art and artists, sometimes written by the artists themselves, such as A. Y. Jackson,[9] or Lawren Harris.
[13] The Forum prided itself on reproducing a picture by a Canadian artist in each issue, "selected by competent critics",[14] though leaning towards the progressive side in art, at least in the early years.
[16] Among the artists who lent their work to the publication the most often used was Thoreau MacDonald but a pen sketch by Tom Thomson (now lost) also appeared.
The full range of the artists published in the Forum was discussed in the Fiftieth Anniversary issue in a lengthy article by the then art editor (1970-1975) Joan Murray.