A group supporting Palestinian rights, CanLit Responds, has officially ended its boycott of the Giller Prize after receiving confirmation from the executive director that the prize is no longer sponsored by Scotiabank or the Azrieli Foundation. The group initiated the boycott in 2024 due to the sponsors’ ties to Israel, which led to protests by notable Canadian authors like David Bergen, Shani Mootoo, and Thea Lim.
Scotiabank, the longtime naming sponsor of the $100,000 prize, faced criticism in 2023 over its subsidiary’s investment in an Israeli arms manufacturer, prompting the Giller Foundation to sever ties with the bank. Despite this, CanLit Responds continued its boycott until the prize also distanced itself from Indigo and the Azrieli Foundation.
Protesters objected to Indigo due to its CEO’s involvement in a charity offering scholarships to former Israel Defence Forces soldiers without familial ties in Israel. The Azrieli Foundation’s links to the Azrieli Group, which has investments in Bank Leumi, were also contentious. However, the foundation clarified that it operates independently and its activities align within Israel’s recognized borders.
The Giller Prize managed its operations in 2025 with a “bridge” gift and anonymous donations after the Azrieli Foundation’s contract ended. CanLit Responds hailed the end of the boycott as a victory against normalizing harm to Palestinians, urging the Giller to maintain transparent and ethical sponsorships in the future.
The organizers emphasized the importance of rebuilding trust with writers and readers, leaving it to individual authors to decide their participation in the prize. Authors like Andre Forget expressed cautious optimism about future submissions, contingent on ongoing developments. The Giller Prize’s 2026 longlist is set to be revealed in mid-September, followed by the shortlist announcement in early October.
