Editorial

382 Volume 25, Issue 4, Fall 2015 • CanadIan onCology nursIng Journal reVue CanadIenne de soIns InFIrmIers en onCologIe

Editorial

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I just spent some time in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia enjoying activities with family, hot weather, picnics, the smell of the sea, sunsets, lobster, and a brand new great-niece! But, alas, it is time to return to Toronto and face all the change that comes with the end of summer and the start of the new school term.

By the time you are reading this column, we will be well into the Canadian fall. The Annual CANO/ACIO Conference will be behind us, and we will be turning our minds towards coping with the changing season—and preparing for the (soon to be upon us) winter months.

And just as there are changes in our seasons and life activ- ities, there will be changes for the journal. There are two changes I want to herald for you.

The first change is that the journal will be entirely digital as of January 2016. This past year we began the process toward this goal such that everyone had access to the online issues.

However, we continued to send a hard copy of the journal to the CANO/ACIO members who had indicated the wish to receive it.

The production and mailing of the hard copies of each jour- nal issue have become very costly for the association. This is also a challenge faced by many other associations and profes- sional journals. For that reason, as of the winter issue (January 2016), we will no longer be sending hard copies of the CONJ issues to individuals.

Moving to the digital format has been beneficial. It has allowed us to expand our reach to a wider audience and cre- ate a larger profile for the writings of Canadian oncology nurses than we have had in the past. And we can accomplish this without the costs associated with producing and dissemi- nating hard copies. I hope we will see that profile continue to grow over the next few years so that our work can make a con- tribution beyond our Canadian borders. I think we have much to offer.

The second change relates to our French translation for the journal. When CANO began as an organization 30 years ago, we started with a newsletter, entitled Communique, so we could communicate with the members. However, we very quickly moved to establish the journal (CONJ), as a way to promote and support the specialty practice development and communicate across the country. The journal provided an opportunity to share the evidence that ought to underpin our practice. Having French translation of our Communique and of the CONJ was an important element from the onset. I recall

one of the early actions taken by the first CANO Board was to identify an individual who could serve as translator for our work.

Hubert Migeon (Victoria, BC) was the individual identified for this role. He has been our translator from the very begin- ning. During the 30 years since we began, we have been hon- oured to have him serve as the French to English, and English to French translator for the Communique and for the journal.

Recently, Hubert decided it is time to look toward retirement and not serve as our translator for the journal in the future.

Hubert was born and grew up in France. But he fell in love with Canada when he visited in his early twenties. Although he first settled in Alberta, he rather quickly moved to Victoria, BC, where he has lived with his wife (Pam) and their two chil- dren ever since. When he showed me around Victoria last fall, I could tell how much he loved the place.

Throughout the years, Hubert has been a strong supporter of CANO/ACIO and has held an unwavering commitment to ensuring our presence, profile, and growth as a specialty in Canada. His meticulous work has been a treasure for us and helped the journal to achieve the quality it currently processes.

Last year, the feedback results from the CANO/ACIO mem- bership survey endorsed the bilingual nature of the journal as a major strength. We can claim this strength because of Hubert.

I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Hubert and to acknowledge how important his contribution has been over these many years. His role was one that was quietly in the background and rather often not acknowledged openly. Yet, it has been a key and critical role. The journal would not be where it is today without his leadership in translating our writ- ings, taking such care in the material he provided, and holding our work so carefully in his hands. His work has been of the highest quality. It has been exceptional. And it has truly been a pleasure to work with him.

Hubert, as this life chapter comes to a close, words hardly seem enough to say thank you for all you have done for CANO/ACIO and the journal, for the contribution you have made. Know that you will be missed. And I wish you well—

every good wish for you, as you embark on the next chapter in your life journey and embrace the changes it will bring.

Margaret I. Fitch, RN, PhD Editor in Chief