l. to r.: Patsy Aldana; Kate Edwards

Patsy Aldana and Kate Edwards have been named the recipients of the Association of Canadian Publishers’ annual awards.

Aldana, who founded Groundwood Books in 1978, and is currently publisher of the Greystone Kids imprint Aldana Libros, has been named the recipient of the the Association of Canadian Publishers 2024 President’s Award. The award is given to an ACP member who has made a significant contribution to the Canadian publishing industry and to the organization. Aldana served as president of the ACP from 1978 to 1980; she has chaired a number of organizations, including the Canadian Coalition for School Libraries, the International Board on Books for Young People, and the Hans Christian Andersen Award; and she is a co- founder of the National Reading Campaign.

Edwards, CEO of Access Copyright and former executive director of ACP (2015–2023), will receive the ACP’s honorary lifetime membership. The honorary lifetime membership is presented to an individual or group who is not a member of ACP, but has made a significant contribution to the Canadian publishing industry and to the ACP. Edwards has also served on the boards of Work In Culture, the Book and Periodical Council, eBOUND Canada, and Canada FBM2020.

The awards will be presented on June 3 in conjunction with the association’s annual general meeting, which is being held June 3–5 in a hybrid format this year. The event will also recognize honorees from 2021 and 2023: Karen Boersma, publisher of Owlkids Books (2023 President’s Award); Quill & Quire (2021 Honorary Lifetime Membership); and Grace Westcott, founder of Westcott Law and president of PEN Canada (2023 Honorary Lifetime Membership).