Press Room

HAMILTON - Campaign Life Coalition mourns the passing of Jim Hughes, President Emeritus of Campaign Life Coalition and one of the great leaders of the Canadian pro-life movement. Hughes died on Monday, May 18, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was 82.

“Jim Hughes dedicated his life to defending innocent human life and building the pro-life movement in Canada,” said Jeff Gunnarson, National President of Campaign Life Coalition. “He was the backbone of this movement for decades and remained uncompromising and steadfast throughout, deeply committed to his faith in God and to the truth that every human life is valuable and worthy of protection because it bears the image of God.”

Born and raised in Toronto, Hughes devoted nearly five decades of his life to defending the sanctity of human life. In 1978, after a successful career in business, he joined Campaign Life Coalition at the urging of his wife, Virginia. What began as a two-year commitment became a lifetime of service to the pro-life cause.

Under Hughes’ leadership, Campaign Life Coalition helped shape, strengthen, and mobilize the pro-life movement across Canada. He worked tirelessly with elected officials, clergy, and community leaders to move forward the pro-life position in Parliament, provincial legislatures, city halls and school boards across this country. There are few pro-life leaders today whom he didn’t recruit, mentor, or encourage to get involved in whatever way they could.

Hughes played a central role in building many of the movement’s initiatives, including The Interim, Canada’s pro-life and pro-family newspaper, founded in 1983, and LifeSiteNews, launched in 1997. He also established the annual National March for Life in Ottawa, which has become the largest annual pro-life gathering in Canada. He worked relentlessly to establish a bipartisan Parliamentary Pro-Life Caucus in Ottawa, which still exists today.   

“Jim had a remarkable mind and an extraordinary memory. He was quick on his feet, politically astute, and had an instinctive sense of the right approach to take in difficult circumstances,” Gunnarson said. “But what truly defined Jim was his heart. He cared deeply for the unborn, for mothers in crisis, and for everyone around him. He would go to extraordinary lengths to help someone in need.”

His pro-life work extended beyond Canada. Hughes served as Vice-President of the International Right to Life Federation and helped represent pro-life and pro-family Canadians internationally, including at the United Nations.

“Although Jim was a formidable leader, he was also humble enough to seek counsel before making important decisions,” Gunnarson added. “He listened, consulted widely, and always kept the mission at the centre of his work. It was an honour to work closely with him for so many years, to travel with him, and to come to know his character, his love for people, and his unwavering devotion to the unborn child.”

At home, Hughes was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. In the office, he was a mentor and fatherly presence to many. Wherever he went, he brought a down-to-earth spirit and a sense of humour that could brighten any room.

In recent years, Hughes endured several health challenges and suffered a stroke last year. Through it all, he remained steadfast in his Catholic faith and in his love for those around him.

“After stepping in to fill Jim’s shoes as National President, I took great comfort in knowing I could still lean on his wisdom, experience, and friendship,” said Gunnarson. “We will miss him deeply, but we trust he will continue to intercede for this movement and for the unborn children he spent his life defending.”

Campaign Life Coalition invites all people of good will to pray for the repose of Jim Hughes’ soul and for comfort and strength for his loved ones.