Evan Careen is a Canada-based political and environmental reporter for The Independent, specializing in Labrador’s community development challenges. With 20 years of experience across Newfoundland, Alberta, and national outlets, his work bridges policy analysis with on-the-ground realities.
Evan Careen’s career began in 2005 as a rookie reporter in Newfoundland’s local newsrooms, where he honed his ability to distill complex community issues into compelling narratives. His early years at The Telegram saw him covering municipal council meetings and hyperlocal events, laying the foundation for his signature style—meticulously researched, deeply humanized storytelling. By 2010, he expanded his reach to provincial politics, contributing to the Globe and Mail’s coverage of Atlantic Canada’s economic shifts. A pivotal move to Alberta’s Calgary Sun in 2015 allowed him to contrast prairie resource economies with maritime challenges, a theme that later defined his work.
“Journalism isn’t just about recording events—it’s about amplifying the voices that shape them.”
Since joining The Independent in 2024 as a Local Journalism Initiative reporter, Careen has become synonymous with Labrador’s most pressing issues. His coverage spans:
This 18-month investigation revealed how intergovernmental delays nearly derailed a critical homelessness project. Careen’s access to leaked municipal emails exposed funding mismanagement, while interviews with Inuit leaders highlighted cultural barriers to shelter access. The piece prompted a provincial audit of social housing allocations.
Through comparative analysis of 15 years’ worth of budget documents, Careen demonstrated how deferred maintenance on rural roads disproportionately affected aging populations. His interactive maps (a rare digital tool in regional reporting) visualized service inequities, leading to a 23% funding increase for remote communities.
Blending scientific data from Memorial University researchers with generational fishermen’s oral histories, this SaltWire feature became a benchmark for environmental reporting. Careen’s calculation that 14% of historic fishing stages had been lost to rising seas since 1990 remains widely cited in policy debates.
Careen prioritizes stories where legislation meets daily life. A successful 2024 pitch on emergency healthcare gaps paired ER wait-time statistics with a nurse’s 72-hour shift diary. Avoid theoretical frameworks—focus on tangible community impacts.
While he documents climate challenges, Careen seeks examples of effective adaptation. A recent piece on Inuit-led permafrost preservation techniques gained national traction. Pitches should highlight innovation, not just crisis.
From volunteer-run broadband initiatives to cooperative fisheries, Careen spotlights scalable local models. Provide clear evidence of success metrics and replicability potential.
His award-winning series on Labrador’s electricity costs traced today’s rates to 1970s dam projects. When pitching, include archival sources or longitudinal data.
While Careen occasionally covers arts, he focuses on cultural preservation rather than individual fame. A 2025 pitch about Inuk throat-singing workshops thrived; one about a TV actor’s visit died.
