In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

  • A Message from the Editorial Board / Message du comité éditorial
  • Colin Coate (bio)

The man who was often called the "Father of Canadian Studies", Thomas H.B. Symons, died on 1 January 2021. Author of To Know Ourselves: The Report of the Commission on Canadian Studies (1975), Prof. Symons was the founding president of Trent University, which established the first Indigenous studies and Canadian studies programs in Canada. A member of the first Editorial Board, Symons also supported the bilingual Journal of Canadian Studies–Revue d'études canadiennes, which published its first issue dated May 1966. The editorial which opened that issue conveyed some of the urgency of the period. Political Science Professor Denis Smith lamented the divisive political discourse of the day and the lack of understanding between Anglophone and Francophone Canada. Looking towards a brighter future, he stated that, "We hope that in the course of the Journal's life the country will achieve greater self-understanding and a more tolerable national consensus, and that the Journal may contribute something to these ends." (Smith, "Editorial", p. 2).

The Journal flourished for many years at Trent University, and the current Editorial Board would like to record our appreciation for the many professors and administrators at Trent University who created the intellectual space for in-depth and critical examinations of Canadian issues. Since 2016, the Journal has been housed at the University of Toronto Press, and we also mark our gratitude for this new professional home where the journal has continued to fulfill its mission. While the Journal may not quite have achieved the early goal of reaching a "national consensus," it certainly has assisted in the search for a "greater self-understanding," and this work will continue into the future.

In recent years, many individuals have contributed to the successes of the Journal, and we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge them. Marian Bredin served as editor from 2014 to 2020, with the expert help from Associate Editors Andrea Cabajsky and Cynthia Comacchio. During that time, as chair of the Editorial Board, Pierre Anctil played a key role in the transition to the University of Toronto Press. In early 2020, Alan Gordon took over the role of editor, and over the course of a bit more than a year, he has shepherded many articles through the publication process. Although he has now stepped back from his position as editor, the journal continues in very good stead, in large part because of his efficiency and dedication. The editorial board sincerely thanks Alan, as well [End Page 1] as Andrea, Cynthia, Marian, and Pierre for their great commitment to the goals of the Journal of Canadian Studies–Revue d'études canadiennes. [End Page 2]

REFERENCES

Smith, Denis. 1966. "Editorial." Journal of Canadian Studies 1 (1): 1–2. https://doi.org/10.3138/jcs.1.1.1.

Celui qu'on a souvent appelé le « Père des études canadiennes », Thomas H.B. Symons, est décédé le 1er janvier 2021. Auteur de Se connaître : le rapport de la Commission sur les études canadiennes (1975), le professeur Symons a été le président fondateur de l'Université Trent, qui a créé les premiers programmes d'études autochtones et d'études canadiennes au Canada. À titre de membre du premier comité éditorial, M. Symons a également appuyé la Revue d'études canadiennes–Journal of Canadian Studies, revue bilingue qui a publié son premier numéro en mai 1966. Dans l'éditorial inaugural, qui reflète en partie l'urgence de l'époque, le professeur de sciences politiques Denis Smith a déploré le discours politique clivant d'alors et le manque de compréhension entre le Canada anglais et le Canada français. Aspirant à un avenir meilleur, il déclarait : « Nous espérons qu'au cours de son existence, la revue verra le pays améliorer sa compréhension de lui-même et parvenir à un consensus national satisfaisant, et qu'elle pourra contribuer à ces fins » (Smith, « Editorial », p. 2 [traduction]).

La revue s'est développée pendant de nombreuses années à l'Université Trent, et le comité éditorial actuel tient à exprimer sa reconnaissance aux nombreux professeurs et administrateurs...

pdf

Share