Mel Hurtig

Mel Hurtig (born June 24, 1932) is a Canadian publisher, author and politician.

He was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. In 1956 he opened a book store which later grew into one of the largest retail book operations in Canada. After selling his stores in 1972, he concentrated on publishing, founding Hurtig Publishers. In 1980, he started the $12 million dollar, comprehensive The Canadian Encyclopedia, published in 1985. In September 1990, Hurtig published the five-volume Junior Encyclopedia of Canada, the first encyclopedia for young Canadians.

He is the former president of the Edmonton Art Gallery and was the founding chairman of the Council of Canadians from 1985 to 1987.

Politics

In 1972 he ran as a Liberal in the federal riding of Edmonton West, but lost to Marcel Lambert. In 1992 Hurtig was elected leader of the National Party of Canada and led it in the 1993 federal election. He ran in the riding of Edmonton Northwest, but lost to Anne McLellan.

Selected works

• The Betrayal of Canada, 1991
• At Twilight in the Country/Memoirs of a Canadian Nationalist, 1996
• Pay the Rent or Feed the Kids, 2000
• The Vanishing Country, 2002
• Rushing to Armageddon, 2004

Honours

• Canadian Book Publisher of the Year, 1974 and 1981
• Made an Officer of the Order of Canada, (1980)
• Honorary LL.D. degrees from York University (1980), Wilfrid Laurier University (1985), University of Lethbridge (1986), University of Alberta (1986), Concordia University (1990), University of British Columbia (1992)
• Eve Orpen Award for Publishing and Literary Excellence, 1985
• Silver Ribbon Award, City of Edmonton, 1985
• Centenary Medal, Royal Society of Canada, 1986
• Alberta Achievement Award, 1986
• Toastmasters International Communications and Leadership Award, 1986
• President's Award, Canadian Booksellers Association, 1986
• Quill Award, Windsor Press Club, 1986
• Speaker of the Year Award, Canadian Speech Communicators Association, 1986
• Corporate Citizen of the Year Award, Community of Business and Professional. Associates of Canada, 1988
• Lester B. Pearson Man of the Year Peace Award 1988