Ardent nationalist, author and publisher Mel Hurtig dies at age of 84
VANCOUVER — Mel Hurtig, the ardent nationalist behind “The Canadian Encyclopedia,” died of pneumonia Wednesday in a Vancouver hospital.
He was 84.
His death was confirmed by Barbara Hurtig, the oldest of his four daughters, who said he was surrounded by his family at the end.
“He was a good dad and a great Canadian,” she said, adding he was a brave man who wasn’t afraid to face people who disagreed with him. “He was never afraid to stand up to opponents and to try and engage people. And I admired him for that.”