For more than fifty years, the Michener Award has stood as one of Canada’s most important honours for public service journalism. Created in 1971 by the late Right Honourable Roland Michener, the award recognizes journalism that drives positive change, strengthens accountability, and protects people whose lives depend on the truth being uncovered. As nominations open this December, we reflect on the impact of past recipients and the lifesaving work of public service journalism. The Rideau Hall Foundation has been honoured to serve as the managing partner for the Michener Awards since 2020.
A Legacy Rooted in Public Service
Roland Michener believed journalism held a central place in Canada’s democracy. When he established the award, he insisted it go to news organizations rather than individuals, recognizing that groundbreaking reporting is always a team effort by reporters, editors, producers, fact-checkers, researchers, and those who create the conditions for excellence.
The first Michener Award ceremony was held in 1971 at Rideau Hall, where the Financial Post and CBC Television were jointly recognized. From the beginning, the award has welcomed both print and broadcast media, celebrating work in both official languages and across newsrooms large and small.
That commitment continues today. In 2020, the Rideau Hall Foundation partnered with the Michener Awards Foundation to help strengthen and sustain the program for the long term.
The Right Honourable Roland Michener (at right) offers the Michener Award for public service journalism to Clive Baxter of the Financial Post – 1971
Journalism That Leads to Real-World Change
Photo Credit: PO 2 Louis Dubé, Rideau Hall © OSGG, 2025
The 2024 Michener Award was presented to La Presse for an investigation that exposed severe failures in Quebec’s youth protection system. Reporters Ariane Lacoursière, Caroline Touzin, Gabrielle Duchaine and Katia Gagnon revealed children being wrongfully removed from their families, placed in unsafe environments, and subjected to physical restraint, seclusion, and sexual abuse. Their work led directly to sweeping reforms, including the resignation of Quebec’s provincial director of youth protection and the appointment of the province’s first Commissioner for Children’s Well-Being and Rights.
A History of Courageous Reporting
Over the decades, Michener recipients have uncovered some of the most consequential stories in Canadian journalism:
- The Montreal Gazette’s early reporting on the horrific conditions inside a Dorval long-term care home during the pandemic.
- APTN’s Death by Neglect, exposing deep failures within an Ontario First Nations child welfare agency.
- CBC Saskatoon and The Globe and Mail exposed how the Catholic Church fell far short on promised compensation to residential school survivors, prompting national scrutiny.
- The Narwhal and Toronto Star’s reporting on Ontario’s Greenbelt scandal, cited directly by the province’s Auditor General.
- The Globe and Mail exposed Hockey Canada’s secret funds used to settle sexual assault claims, prompting national outrage and major institutional reforms.
From national broadcasters to local papers, The Michener Award honourees continue to show what strong journalism makes possible: public accountability, informed citizenship, and stronger communities.
Fellowships That Strengthen the Field
Since 1987, the Michener Awards Foundation has also offered fellowships to support the professional development of mid-career journalists. Today, two $40,000 fellowships are available yearly:
- The Michener-Deacon Fellowship for Investigative Reporting
- The Michener-L. Richard O’Hagan Fellowship for Journalism Education
These fellowships give journalists time to deepen their skills, pursue ambitious projects, and strengthen the future of Canadian reporting.
Looking Ahead: Nominations Open in December
As nominations open this December, newsrooms across the country are invited to put forward journalism that resulted in measurable benefit to the public.
Whether the work exposed systemic injustice, revealed failures in public institutions, protected vulnerable people, or sparked policy change, the Michener Award is a chance to honour reporting that truly serves the public good.
Canada’s democracy depends on journalists who ask the difficult questions, uncover hidden truths and refuse to look away. The Michener Award exists to recognize that commitment, and to remind us all of the essential role journalism plays in a healthy society.
To learn more about the awards and past recipients, visit MichenerAwards.ca.
