Scott McIntyre was a founding partner of Douglas & McIntyre (D&M) Publishers, at one time the country’s largest independent publisher that promoted Canadian authors and earned an international reputation for beautiful books on a range of subjects. What made the B.C. publishing house unique was McIntyre’s interest in works about the history and art of Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast.

During McIntyre’s 40-year tenure, D&M produced about 2,000 books on the arts, architecture, politics and history. They included works by such celebrated authors as Douglas Coupland, David Suzuki, Wade Davis, Lorna Crozier, Emily Carr, Richard Wagamese, Wil Ferguson and Wayson Choy. He took chances, often at personal financial risk, to champion less-known writers so that their voices could be heard.

McIntyre’s firm celebrated the cultural and spiritual achievements of Indigenous peoples through the work of artists such as Bill Reid and Robert Davidson. It was important to McIntyre to communicate the need for the cultural survival of First Nations. The works opened new ideas, new discussions and new awareness of B.C.’s cultural heritage.

He fought equally hard to protect the cultural pulse of Canada, dedicating much of his time to advising the federal government in complex trade negotiations and standing up for the independence of Canadian interests. He played a key role in the development and implementation of the UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity, signed by 145 countries.

In addition to his role as publisher, McIntyre has dedicated his public service to various professional organizations, environmental groups, museums and cultural institutions.