For the second time in less than a year, the Canadian Publishers’ Council has lost a key staff member. Jacqueline Hushion, CPC’s longtime executive director of external relations, died on Sept. 27 from a recurring illness. Hushion’s death comes less than six months after that of Colleen O’Neill, CPC’s executive director for higher education and trade publishing groups, who passed away in April.

Hushion, who also volunteered as chair of the Canadian Copyright Institute, is remembered by her colleagues and friends as a committed advocate for the country’s books industry. Harlequin Enterprises president and CEO Craig Swinwood, who serves as president of CPC’s executive committee, says, “In addition to providing decades of advocacy and support to the Canadian publishing industry and member firms of the CPC, Jackie’s experience and passion for Canadian publishing was unparalleled. She will be greatly missed.”

Access Copyright executive director Roanie Levy also speaks highly of Hushion. “While I am sad that Jackie has passed away, I feel very lucky to have had the honour and privilege of working with her over the years, and to have been able to call her a friend,” she says. “Our industry has lost a passionate champion and advocate but it has gained a legion of dedicated professionals who have been mentored and inspired by Jackie.”

The Writers’ Union of Canada executive director John Degen is one of those who considers Hushion a mentor. Hushion was Degen’s first employer in the publishing industry in the early 1990s, when CPC was still referred to as the Canadian Book Publishers’ Council. “One might say she gave me a grounding in the issues and tensions of the business. She was a force,” he says. “I still called her ‘boss’ every time I saw her at meetings, even when we sat at opposite ends of the table (so to speak). I will miss working with her.”

A memorial for Hushion will take place at a date to be specified.