Pen Canada hit with political-activities audit by Canada Revenue Agency

Pen Canada represents more than 1,000 writers and supporters, including Canadian literary luminaries Margaret Atwood and Yann Martel, and presses for freedom of expression at home and abroad.

The group has been highly critical of the Harper government in recent years for the muzzling of scientists on the public payroll, and for alleged spying on Canadian citizens in concert with U.S. eavesdropping agencies.

This latest political-activity audit is among more than 50 that the agency has begun since 2012, which some critics have said creates an "advocacy chill" as charities self-censor for fear of losing their ability to raise funds through tax-deductible donations.

The wave of audits was announced by the federal government in the 2012 budget, and some groups have been under threat of losing their charitable status for more than two years. The list of targets includes Amnesty International Canada, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Canada Without Poverty, and the David Suzuki Foundation.