Mel Hurtig dies at 84

[Slava]

I know that there are going to be a number "who?" kind of reactions to this, but I figured it warranted a thread. Hurtig was an ardent nationalist and basically a Canadian icon in the publishing industry, and a part-time politician (although never elected). He received the Order of Canada, created the Council of Canadians and started the National Party in the early 90's.

On a personal note I read a number of his books and as a young man quite enjoyed and identified with his nationalism. I certainly didn't agree with all of his political views or with some of the views taken/espoused by the Council of Canadians, but there is no doubt personally that his books (A New and Better Canada in particular) had a significant impact on my way of thinking politically. I spoke with him a couple of times on the phone and met him at least a couple of times as well. I have no doubt that he wouldn't have had a clue about having met me or anything like that, but as a young university student the fact that he took the time to give me a call and things like that were pretty special. RIP

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmont...dead-1.3706776

[FlamesAddiction]

First person I ever voted for when I was old enough to vote.

I remember how he showed up to a debate wearing jeans and a white "National Party" sweatshirt and everyone else was wearing suits.

I didn't know much about the party really, but he spoke on a level that connected to me at the time.

[octothorp]

I don't really remember much about him, except that the Canadian Encyclopedia was really important in my youth, in terms of being informed about Canada particularly in a pre-Internet era. So that's the impact he had on my life, and I think it was a significant one.

[InglewoodFan]

Sad loss, but he did a lot for Canada in his time. I bought the Canadian Encyclopedia for myself when I was in high school, still have it to this day. Should show it to the kids tonight.

[Kjesse]

He died knowing that Canada's largest news media organization was in the control of New York junk bond peddlers. Sad. He fought the good fight when he could though.