Proposed changes to access-to-information legislation in Newfoundland and Labrador

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has introduced sweeping new changes to its Freedom of Information legislation. Bill 29 will amend the province's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to broaden the power of government to withhold disclosure of a wide range of government information, and extend deadlines for disclosure under certain circumstances. The legislation caused an uproar among the opposition parties, who immediately launched an overnight filibuster in the House of Assembly. Read more »

Victoria Times Colonist wins 2011 Michener Award

The Victoria Times Colonist has been named the winner of the 2011 Michener Award. The Postmedia-owned daily was honoured for its investigative coverage of a B.C. government policy that reduced support for people with developmental disabilities. The paper’s extensive reporting on the issue resulted in the reversal of government policy, a substantial increase in financial support for those with developmental disabilities, and administrative changes in the ministry of social development and Community Living B.C. Read more »

Time is running out to enter the 2012 Extra Awards

The entry deadline for the 2012 Extra Awards is less than three weeks away. Daily and community newspapers, advertisers, agencies, media planners and freelancers must submit their print and digital campaigns before Friday, June 29 in order to be eligible for this year’s competition. The annual awards program honours the country’s best newspaper advertising and showcases the creativity of the industry. For 2012, Newspapers Canada has introduced a number of new awards categories that highlight the emerging digital opportunities within the medium. Read more »

Innovative Advertising Blog: Custom Content

Each month, Newspapers Canada spotlights newspaper innovation by inviting representatives from across the country to contribute to our Innovative Advertising Blog. In this edition, Charlene Rooke, group editor, custom content for The Globe and Mail, tells the story behind the daily newspaper’s custom content partnership with Telus. Read more »

Resolute becomes world’s largest world's largest FSC holder

Resolute Forest Products has become the largest manager of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forests in the world. The FSC designation is an international certification and labelling system dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world's forests. Resolute, which owns or operates pulp and paper mills and wood products facilities in Canada, the United States and South Korea, manages over 10.3 million hectares of FSC-certified forests in North America. Read more »

Toronto Star’s Heather Mallick to speak at CJFE event

The annual general meeting for Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) is scheduled for Wednesday, June 20 in Toronto. Following the members-only meeting, CJFE will host a public reception with speaker Heather Mallick from the Toronto Star. I Write What I Think: A Conversation with Heather Mallick will take place from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM at Massey College. Read more »

In British Columbia, Hugh Nicholson has been named the new publisher of the Nanaimo Daily News, Harbour City Star and their digital counterparts. Nicholson joined the Vancouver Island Newspaper Group earlier this year, representing Glacier Media Inc. as the division manager. He succeeds former publisher Curt Duddy who has retired after serving the newspaper for 12 years. Read more »

Bill Redekop from the Winnipeg Free Press has been honoured with a Public Communication Award from the Canadian Archaeological Association. The regional reporter was recognized in the Writer/Producer category for a 2011 story on a historic discovery made by Manitoba Hydro workers. Read more »

Cheryl Phillips has been named the first female publisher of The Expositor in Brantford, Ontario. She first joined the 160-year-old daily newspaper in February 2012 as the director of advertising and regional director of advertising for Sun Media’s South Region. Previously, Phillips held positions at The Globe and Mail, Metroland/Torstar and Thomson Newspapers. Read more »

On May 31, Betty Carr retired from her post as publisher of Toronto Community News (TCN), a division of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Carr began her career in the community newspaper industry in 1972 at Oshawa This Week. She later went on to serve as publisher of The Scarborough Mirror, North York Mirror and the Etobicoke Guardian. Read more »