Notice Board

The University of Lethbridge offers its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Mel Hurtig (LLD '86), renowned author and publisher, who passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016 at the age of 84.

Born and raised in Edmonton, Hurtig opened the Hurtig Books store in 1956, which grew to be one of the country’s largest, and from there, launched a publishing company in the 1970s.

He conceived the idea of creating a Canadian encyclopedia after becoming irritated at seeing libraries full of Americanized history books. With the help of funding from the Alberta government, Hurtig oversaw the creation of The Canadian Encyclopedia, as a way to address the lack of books about Canada created by Canadians.

He was conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, by the U of L in 1986. The University will lower its flag to half staff on the day of his funeral.

For more on Mel Hurtig, take a look at this Globe and Mail story. Following is the citation from his 1986 honorary degree presentation.

Mel Hurtig, publisher and champion of national autonomy, was born in Edmonton in 1932 and educated at the Victoria Composite High School in that city. In 1956, he became the proprietor of a successfully developing chain of bookstores which, in 1972, he sold in order exclusively to devote his efforts to publication.

In his capacity as founder and president of Hurtig Publishing Ltd., he has regularly drawn upon his personal resources in order to ensure publication of the works of many Western Canadian authors. His efforts have contributed to the development of a Canadian identity and to national pride. His most recent accomplishment is the 1985 publication of the Canadian Encyclopedia, the most extensive publishing project in Canadian history.

An ardent and consistent advocate of Canadian cultural and political independence, Hurtig is a founding member and past chairman of the Committee for an Independent Canada. He is the recipient of the Governor General's Award for excellence in publishing, has twice been declared Canadian Book Publisher of the Year and has been accorded honorary degrees by both York University and Wilfrid Laurier University. He is also an officer of the Order of Canada.