TWUC was founded in 1973 to work with governments, publishers, booksellers, and readers to improve the conditions of Canadian writers.

TWUC advocates on behalf of writers’ collective interests, and delivers value to members through advocacy, community, and information.

TWUC believes in a thriving, diverse Canadian culture that values and supports writers.

The Union administers the Danuta Gleed Literary Award for the best first collection of short stories in English published in Canada.

Recipients have included authors Derek Finkle and Charles Montpetit as well as former MP Wendy Lill, Toronto lawyer Clayton Ruby, and Janine Fuller, owner of Vancouver's embattled Little Sisters bookstore.