By Joyce Wayne
These days, I’ve noticed that people are talking about security. It’s become a most important topic as we face a new era of change and uncertainty. For the past 80 years, Canadian baby boomers have enjoyed a time of enduring peace and comfort. We’ve experienced education and job opportunities, abundant housing, and choices for leisure and travel. Looking back, I must admit that I repeatedly experienced the luxury of choice.
From Academia to Publishing
What to study and where to attend school was my choice. I could choose my friends and where to live in Canada. I could decide how long to stay in school, whether to attend university or not. I had the luxury of studying the Humanities, in my case, English literature, with a specialty in Canadian literature. I wrote my Master’s thesis on a Canadian poet and then went straight from university to a challenging job in book publishing.
It was at a struggling publishing company located on the third floor of an aging building at the corner of Bathurst and King in downtown Toronto. The rambling King Street car careened by my window every five minutes, and the revellers from the tavern across the road grew loader as day turned to evening.
I moved to Toronto from Kingston on a Saturday and started my new job as managing editor on Monday. Things like that could happen in the 1970s. The managing editor, who’d launched the press, spent my first day in the office teaching me how to manage a publishing company, and by the next day, he was off to greener pastures. I was on my own, staring at a desk piled high with manuscripts and a shipping room I was in charge of. That meant editing the books for publication while also invoicing and shipping cartons of books.
I was overwhelmed, yet miraculously, I survived. The company operated on a shoestring budget for several years. We published some good books, a few by Governor General award-winning poet Milton Acorn, others by iconoclast Robin Mathews (about whom I’ve recently edited a collection of essays) and another about the Avro Arrow. This innovative Canadian fighter jet was discontinued because the Americans were against Canada producing it.
Canadian Arts and Entertainment Boom in the 70s and 80s
My coming of age coincided with an enormous uptick in Canadian national sentiment. We adamantly believed we could foster a truly sovereign country, bursting with Canadian content in media, the arts, theatre, music, television and film – each supported by an independent federal government that found the budget to sustain these endeavours while meeting the huge challenges posed by a vast country with a small population.
During the 1970s and 1980s, we witnessed an enormous flowering of arts and entertainment activity. It was possible to make a living in Canada as a writer, musician, or actor. Sadly, those opportunities are becoming increasingly rare. Most Canadian books published by Canadian-owned publishers never find themselves on the bestseller lists of The Globe and Mail or The Toronto Star. The talk of cancelling the CBC is everywhere, although I, for one, can’t imagine life without CBC radio and its news network. Canadian-authored and -performed theatre and television drama is hard to find.
Back then, my tiny publishing company was supported by the local branch of a bank situated right across the road from my office. The bank manager was approachable and interested in what we were trying to achieve. When I applied for a line of credit based on our meagre orders, he agreed. A kindly poet co-signed the loan. Away we went. The company never missed a payment.
Banking on Canadian Authors: “By Canadian” Book Club
My history with books and with banks is why I’m so excited about HomeEquity Bank’s new initiative to support Canadian books and authors, the By Canadian Book Club. It couldn’t come at a better time. Today, the majority of best-selling books in Canada are written by U.S. writers and published by foreign-owned presses. To help us through these difficult -and might I add scary – times, I’m delighted to announce that “HomeEquity Bank is throwing its CHIPs in: free books to customers written by notable Canadian authors.”
“Older Canadians are among the most frequent readers in Canada – a 2023 report from Statista highlights that 12% of those aged 65+ have read 50 or more books in the past year. By offering a diverse range of titles, HomeEquity Bank aims to promote personal fulfillment and financial control through home-grown perspectives.”
In their press release, HomeEquity Bank adds:
“We know our customers are avid readers, and they want to support Canadian perspectives,” said Yvonne Ziomecki-Fisher, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Sales at HomeEquity Bank. “The By Canadian Book Club is how we show our support for both our customers and the Canadian voices that bring people inspiration, comfort, and knowledge.”
As part of the By Canadian initiative, HomeEquity Bank customers will choose from a curated list of free books authored by trusted Canadian voices like Peter Mansbridge, Pattie Lovett-Reid, Mike Drak and me. Titles were chosen with a focus on enhancing knowledge in areas that older Canadians care about, such as personal finance, home improvement, self-fulfillment, original Canadian stories, and more. Recipients will also have the choice between a free e-book or free physical book, in line with the fact that 28% of those aged 55-64 and 18% of those 65+ have read an e-book in the past year, with a notable increase in audiobook listeners as well.
“In times of uncertainty, a captivating book can be a source of comfort and inspiration. We’re excited to provide our customers with access to free Canadian literature that speaks to their interests and needs as we navigate this moment,” said Katie Dudtschak, President & CEO of HomeEquity Bank. “We don’t stop at financial solutions for our clients; we also strive to empower them with the knowledge and resources to live life on their terms.”
Curated Titles From the Book Club – For Free
Free books available as part of this initial offer include:
- How Canada Works: The People Who Make Our Nation Thrive by Peter Mansbridge
- Live Well, Retire Well: Strategies for a Rich Life and a Richer Retirement by Pattie Lovett-Reid
- Victory Lap Retirement by Mike Drak and Jonathan Chevreau
- Leading to Greatness: 5 Principles to Transform Your Leadership and Build Great Teams by Jim Reid
- Last Night of the World: A Novel by Joyce Wayne
- Home Run: The Reverse Mortgage Advantage by Steven Ranson and Yvonne Ziomecki-Fisher
The By Canadian Book Club offer will be available to HomeEquity Bank clients until the end of March, while supplies last. Visit the By Canadian website for more information about this initiative and to explore the curated list of books.
