The former Campaign Life president worked tirelessly for the unborn for over half a century.
Editor’s Note: This story was first published by Canadaʼs The Catholic Register and is reprinted here, with adaptations, with permission.
Jim Hughes, a towering and beloved Canadian champion of the preborn for over half a century, passed away on the morning of May 18 surrounded by loved ones. He was 82.
He had endured several health challenges in recent years, including a stroke in March 2025.
Tributes are pouring in for the man who shepherded Campaign Life Coalition (CLC), the political arm of the Canadian pro-life movement, for over 34 years as national president before passing the leadership reins to his successor Jeff Gunnarson in late 2018.
Gunnarson penned a poignant missive to the dedicated husband, father, and grandfather who was “a mentor and a fatherly presence to so many” he encountered.
“His tireless work helped shape, strengthen, and mobilize the movement across the country, saving countless lives and inspiring generations of pro-life Canadians,” Gunnarson wrote. “Yet Jim’s impact extended far beyond public leadership. If someone needed help, he would help, often quietly, without recognition and without ever seeking praise.”
Hughes devoted more than
