Lecture 2 (of 3): In the Shadow of Two Empires: Creating a Canadian Literature

Beginning in the 1960s, following the success of Expo 67, a younger generation determined to forge a stronger country moved past the mostly self-imposed restrictions of the past. A new ecology of writers, editors, publishers and bookstores emerged, aided by an expanding market and evolving public policy. Universities and schools began teaching Canadian literature. Publishers such as Jack McClelland were bringing new ideas and new chutzpah to the business. New federal and provincial policy began to support a wide range of publishers in every region of the country. Writers such at Atwood, Mowat, Lawrence, Richler, Davies, Munro, Berton, Newman, Hutchison and a host of others began to dominate best-seller lists. Small, independent publishing houses, amongst them House of Anansi, Coach House, New Press, Hurtig, Talon, and Douglas & McIntyre, started to make an impact. The momentum created and nourished an ever-more self-confident national literature, now a legacy for future generations.

Biography: Scott is the founding partner and recently retired Publisher and Chairman of Douglas & McIntyre Publishers which during his tenure published some 2000 Canadian books. For over 40 years Scott has been actively involved in government relations and industry association work in the cultural industries, both provincially and federally. He has served on many cultural boards, both in Canada and Internationally, and recently completed a term as President and Program Chair of the Vancouver Institute. He is Past- Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation, and on the Advisory Boards of the Global Reporting Centre, the Museum of Anthropology and Green College, all at UBC, and PEN Canada in Toronto. His many other board involvements have included the Writer’s Trust of Canada, the BC Arts Council, the UBC School of Journalism, the Association of Canadian Publishers, and Logos:The Journal of of the World Book Community. In 1996, Scott received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Simon Fraser University. The following year, he became a member of the Order of Canada, which recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement and dedication to the community. His contributions to cultural life in Canada have been further recognized by a Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal in 2002, and her Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. In 2012 Scott was honoured with the inaugural IVY Award for his substantial contributions of Canadian publishing from the International Festival of Authors in Toronto. In 2016, he received the Gray Campbell Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to the British Columbia book publishing industry. In 2019, he was awarded the Order of British Columbia.