Local news needs support
I travelled to Prince Edward Island last week to attend a national symposium hosted by the Rideau Hall Foundation and the Michener Awards focused on strengthening the future of local news in Canada. It brought together independent publishers, industry leaders, philanthropists and funders who understand the crucial role local journalism plays in our democracy.
I started this journey on Prince Edward Island, a place I fell in love with last year and did not think could ever be topped. The red cliffs, quiet coves, warm people and undeniable charm of Charlottetown had me convinced PEI was the one of the most beautiful corners of Canada. I remember walking those historic streets thinking: this is perfection, almost nothing can beat this.
And then I headed for Nova Scotia.
This province has completely blown my mind. It is rugged beauty mixed with heart and history. Windswept beaches where the Atlantic roars and salt spray hits you straight in the soul. Villages dotted with lobster boats and lighthouses holding steady against the elements. And then the Cabot Trail. A masterpiece painted in fall colours so breathtaking they do not even look real. Bright red maple leaves meeting fiery orange valleys that plunge into the ocean. I pulled over more times than I can count just to take it all in.
If I ever left my own Garden of Eden in the Crowsnest Pass, I could see myself calling this province home. That is the feeling Nova Scotia gives you. It opens your imagination.
But this trip was not just about scenery. It had purpose.
I came for a national media conference that brought together newspaper publishers, industry leaders, philanthropists and funders who care deeply about local journalism. To be in a room where everyone understands the challenges we face. Rising costs, shrinking revenues, tech giants siphoning away community attention. It was powerful. We were not just swapping business cards. The fourth estate defending democracy.
Recently, the Toronto Star interviewed me about the importance of the federal government buying advertising in Canadian newspapers. I reminded them: “local media are the backbone of Canadian democracy. We employ Canadians, we tell Canadian stories, and we reinvest every advertising dollar back into the Canadian economy. If the federal government is serious about supporting Canadian culture and democracy, it must put its money where its mouth is.” That message matters now more than ever.
Local news is not just a business model. It is a service. We show up to council meetings. We report on local schools. We shine a light on decisions made behind closed doors. We celebrate people doing incredible things in small places. And when something goes wrong, we promote accountability.
The most profound message shared at the conference was simple. Newspapers are the fourth estate. We are a pillar that upholds democracy. Without accountability there is no transparency. Without watchdogs there is no fairness. Without trusted local reporting, misinformation fills the void.
So yes, I am fighting for this industry. I believe in its future. I believe in the Crowsnest Pass Herald and in the communities that depend on local media across this province and this country. We are not relics. We are relevant. We are needed.
This week on the east coast gave me renewed hope. Being surrounded by experts and allies who refuse to give up reminded me that local journalism is worth every ounce of effort we put into it. It is worth the long nights and tight budgets. It is worth the battles in conference rooms and on Parliament Hill.
I will head home with salty air still in my lungs and the cliffs of Cape Breton still vivid in my mind. But I will also return with stronger resolve. Local news is not fading. It is rising to meet the moment. And I intend to be right in the fight for it.
Because in communities like ours, from the Atlantic coast to the Rocky Mountains, telling the truth is still the most powerful thing we can do.