The Globe and Mail Brian Busby Published April 9, 2021
Tim Foran
Fraser Sutherland described himself as a “card-carrying cultural nationalist.” He remained so throughout his life, while becoming increasingly irritated by the paths followed by Canadian literature, criticism and publishing. A poet, editor, educator and lexicographer, he died on March 28 aged 74, at Toronto General Hospital as a result of complications from heart surgery.
Fraser Roderick Sutherland was born on Dec. 5, 1946 in Pictou County, N.S., the youngest child of Russell and Mary (née MacHardy). Raised on the family farm in Scotsburn with his older brothers, William and Hugh, he was not meant for farming life.
Illustration by Glenn Harvey, Updated 16:37, Apr. 6, 2021 | Published 14:30, Apr. 6, 2021
Some indeterminate day last fall, back from my biweekly masked trudge to the grocery store, I arrive home to a letter from the Canada Revenue Agency. They want proof that my income in 2019 was greater than $5,000 to confirm eligibility for CERB payments I received over the summer.
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit was a sensible, wide-ranging backstop, shoring up the livelihoods of those who found themselves struggling in a suddenly frozen economy. Rolled out quickly and efficiently last March and run on an honour system, CERB allowed anyone facing loss of income because of COVID-19 to go online, check a few boxes confirming eligibility, and receive $2,000 in monthly assistance. I put in a call to the CRA in September, inquiring after one of these cheques that had gone missing.
Eight ways to fix the arts industry, postpandemic theglobeandmail.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theglobeandmail.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Breakdown and the middle-grade novel I am moved today to nominate [David A. Robertson] because I think he is an excellent role model for freedom of expression for all of us. Robertson writes for audiences of all ages. He delves into his own life, his own truths, and with rigour, gentleness and bravery, he creates literature to show what he s discovering, the writer who nominated Robertson said in a press statement.
The writer who nominated Robertson was not publicly named. I want these books to do well because it s my job. But more importantly, I want to see that these books are helping to make some kind of a difference in this country. That s something that I feel is a big focus in my work, Robertson told CBC Books in 2020.