The Word On The Street was conceived in 1989 by the Book and Periodical Council ‘s Promotions Committee. The Council decided that since Toronto was Canada’s publishing capital, it was time to join other centres around the world to host a large-scale public festival of the written word. The festival would celebrate Canadian authors, books and magazines and become a strong advocate for literacy.

In March 1990, The Toronto Book and Magazine Fair was incorporated as a non-profit organization and branded the name of the festival as The Word On The Street.

The inaugural festival took place on Sunday, September 30, 1990 on Queen Street West in downtown Toronto and was attended by over 30,000 people. The launch of the festival coincided with International Literacy Year, underscoring the Festival’s commitment to literacy. Local leaders provided overwhelming support for Toronto’s festival as the concept involved closing a major Toronto street and re-routing the streetcars. The success of Toronto’s festival showed what could be achieved on a national level.

In 1994, The Word On The Street Canada was established as an independent organization with a mandate to develop festivals across Canada through license agreements. Vancouver and Halifax held their first festivals in 1995. Ottawa and Calgary were added to the network of festivals a few years later and in 2002, Kitchener launched its first festival.

In 2008, the four festivals were held across Canada in Halifax, Toronto, Kitchener and Vancouver. On a single day - the last Sunday in September - more than 275,000 visitors attended 408 programs featuring 471 authors, workshop presenters and arts performers. The festivals showcased 520 book and magazine exhibitors who promoted mainly Canadian works. Many of those exhibitors were small presses, independent authors and writing associations who benefit enormously from the enormous exposure. To further demonstrate commitment to literacy, ten percent of the total exhibit space is provided to literacy organizations.

The Word On The Street has received a long list of awards over the years. In 2008, one of the most prestigious was its national nomination for a Canadian Event Industry Award in the “Best Festival” category.

The Word On The Street’s on-going success has been supported through partnerships established with media and sponsors from private sector organizations.  Most important has been the delivery of a FREE festival to participants which would not be possible without the funding support provided by national, regional and municipal governments.

Founding Organizations

• Book and Periodical Council

• Canadian Give The Gift of Literacy Foundation

• Canadian Authors Association

• Canadian Book Information Centre

• Canadian Book Publishers

• Council Canadian Booksellers Associations

• Canadian Children's Book Centre

• Freelance Editors Association of Canada

• Canadian Library Association

• Canadian Magazine Publishing Association

• League of Canadian Poets

• Literary Presses Group

• Ontario Literacy Coalition

• Periodical Writer's Association of Canada

• Playwright's Union of Canada

• Writer's Union of Canada