A new report from the Public Policy Forum (PPF), in partnership with the Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF) and the Michener Awards Foundation, warns that the decline of local news is eroding Canadians’ ability to make informed decisions at the ballot box — and weakening the foundations of our democracy. 

Uncovered: How to Build Back Election Coverage for a Better Democracy reveals that millions of voters in the 2025 federal election went to the polls with little or no information about their local candidates. Ipsos polling commissioned for the report found that: 

  • 70% of Canadians said more local news would have made them better informed. 
  • In communities without local news, 63% were unfamiliar with local candidates’ views, and 53% couldn’t find trusted information about them.
  • 74% believe too much attention is placed on party leaders and not enough on local candidates or issues. 

“This is much more than a media issue — it goes to the very core of Canada as a ‘community of communities,’” says PPF President and CEO Inez Jabalpurwala. 

Connecting to RHF’s Purpose 

The RHF’s mission includes strengthening the core elements of Canadian democracy — from robust electoral processes to a free and independent media. As a non-partisan national charitable organization, the RHF works to deepen trust in Canada’s public institutions, foster civic engagement, and connect Canadians across sectors and regions. 

By partnering on this research, the RHF advances its strategic priority to address the democratic deficit and to strengthen civil society by ensuring that Canadians, regardless of where they live, have access to trusted, fact-based local news during elections. 

Action in the 2025 Election 

The report also highlights a practical solution piloted during the campaign: the Covering Canada: Election 2025 Fund. Created and launched in just six days, the fund awarded $525,000 in grants to 40 local media outlets — enabling ambitious election coverage that would not otherwise have been possible. 

“The goal was to help cover community stories that otherwise might not have been told, and to ensure smaller local newsrooms could continue serving their communities,” says RHF President and CEO Teresa Marques. 

A Call for Long-Term Solutions 

While the fund proved the model works, the report calls for a permanent, non-partisan election journalism fund to ensure high-quality local coverage in future campaigns. It also recommends directing more government advertising to local outlets, equipping citizens with fact-checking tools, and building industry capacity to meet philanthropic and public support. 

RHF’s Vision 

A well-informed public is essential to a healthy democracy — and to the RHF’s vision for a more connected, engaged, and inclusive Canada. Supporting independent local journalism directly advances our work to: 

  • Deepen understanding and trust in democratic institutions by ensuring voters have access to credible, local perspectives. 
  • Strengthen civil society by fostering informed participation in public life. 
  • Connect communities by amplifying voices and issues that might otherwise be unheard. 

Through partnerships like this, the RHF is working towards a future where all Canadians have the information they need to participate fully in shaping our country — because democracy works best when everyone can see themselves in it. 

Read the full report: https://ppforum.ca/publications/uncovered-local-news/