The Canadian Encyclopedia Canada's National Reference

The Canadian Encyclopedia (TCE; French: L'Encyclopédie canadienne) serves as the national encyclopedia of Canada. Originally launched as a massive print undertaking by Hurtig Publishing and now maintained online by the Toronto-based historical organization Historica Canada, it is often described as "The Biggest Publishing Project in Canadian History."

Overview and Scope

The original print publication was a monumental effort, compiled by more than 2,500 scholars and specialists, resulting in over 9,000 articles. In its modern digital form, the encyclopedia has expanded significantly. The website now features more than 25,000 entries and over 60,000 multimedia items, including images, maps, charts, games, assessments, and videos.

Beyond its core entries, the website integrates several specialized resources, including:

• The Youth Encyclopedia of Canada
• The Encyclopedia of Music in Canada
• The Timeline of Canadian History
• Articles from MacLean's Magazine

The platform also serves as an educational hub, providing instructional materials and study aids for educators and guardians. Since 2001, the encyclopedia has been available for free online in both English and French, covering a vast array of topics including Canadian biographies, places, history, the arts, First Nations, science, and innovation.

History and Origins

The Need for a National Reference

Prior to the 1980s, Canada lacked a comprehensive, up-to-date national encyclopedia. While early attempts like Canada: An Encyclopaedia of the Country (1898–1900) and The Encyclopedia of Canada (1935–37) existed, they had become outdated or were focused on specific niches. By the 1970s, existing reference works were plagued by omissions and factual errors.

The Vision of Mel Hurtig

Edmonton-based publisher and nationalist Mel Hurtig sought to remedy this gap. In 1978, Hurtig proposed the project to the Alberta government as a "gift to Canada" for the province's 75th anniversary. Premier Peter Lougheed supported the initiative, and the Alberta Legislature provided CA$3.4 million for development costs and an additional $600,000 to ensure every school and library in Canada received a free copy.

Production and Launch

James Harley Marsh was hired as editor-in-chief in 1980, recruiting over 3,000 authors. The production process was rigorous: every fact was recorded on index cards, verified by researchers, supported by three sources, and reviewed by three outside readers before being proofread by an independent source.

The first edition was published in 1985. It consisted of three volumes containing nearly 3 million words and over 9,000 articles. The set was an immediate success, selling out within days and reaching nearly 150,000 sets sold within the first six months.

Evolution of Format

The transition to a digital format has allowed the encyclopedia to remain a living document, consistently updated to reflect new historical research and current events, while remaining accessible to the public for free.