Gordon Hoekstra is an award-winning investigative journalist at the Vancouver Sun, where he specializes in energy, environmental policy, and corporate accountability. Based in Canada, his work consistently bridges technical industry practices with public safety concerns, driving legislative reforms in sectors like transportation and mining.
Gordon Hoekstra has established himself as a cornerstone of investigative journalism in Canada, specializing in systemic issues within energy, environmental policy, and corporate accountability. Over his decade-long tenure at Postmedia outlets like the Vancouver Sun and The Province, his work has bridged the gap between technical industry practices and public safety, earning recognition for triggering policy reforms.
This 2024 investigation dissected the recurring issue of commercial trucks striking overpasses in British Columbia, blending data analysis with interviews from engineers, drivers, and policymakers. Hoekstra revealed systemic flaws in driver training programs and load verification processes, highlighting how outdated regulations failed to address modern freight challenges. The article’s impact was immediate: within a month, the B.C. government introduced stricter penalties for non-compliant carriers and mandated GPS tracking for high-risk routes. Its methodology set a benchmark for blending quantitative infrastructure data with human-centered storytelling.
Hoekstra’s 2023 coverage of Imperial Metals’ Mount Polley mine focused on the aftermath of one of Canada’s worst environmental disasters. By analyzing engineering reports and regulatory filings, he uncovered lingering concerns about sediment contamination in Quesnel Lake despite official assurances of safety. The piece questioned the adequacy of Canada’s mining oversight framework, prompting renewed calls for independent environmental audits. Its significance lies in its persistent follow-up on long-term ecological impacts, a rarity in disaster reporting.
Part of a series on money laundering in British Columbia, this 2022 investigation exposed how real estate and luxury car sales were exploited for illicit financial flows. Hoekstra collaborated with legal experts to trace shell companies and anonymized transaction records, revealing gaps in provincial anti-money laundering laws. The reporting contributed to the establishment of a federal task force targeting high-value asset laundering, showcasing his ability to navigate complex financial systems for public-interest storytelling.
Hoekstra prioritizes stories where energy sector practices intersect with regulatory frameworks. For example, his trucking industry analysis led to legislative changes, demonstrating his interest in actionable reporting. Pitches should highlight underreported policy gaps, such as inconsistencies in provincial vs. federal energy regulations or loopholes in emissions reporting.
His Mount Polley coverage underscores a focus on corporate accountability. Successful pitches might include whistleblower accounts from mining or oil/gas sectors, or data-driven analyses of long-term ecological monitoring in post-disaster regions.
With his proven track record in infrastructure investigations, Hoekstra is likely to engage with data-rich pitches about transportation or industrial safety. Examples include predictive analytics for accident-prone zones or comparative studies of international safety standards.
“Preventing overdose deaths on university campuses and overpass strikes on highways are two very different public safety issues of critical importance to our community. The outstanding research and reporting by Lori Culbert and Gordon Hoekstra raised serious questions and provoked positive change on both fronts.” — Harold Munro, Editor-in-Chief, Vancouver Sun
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Energy, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
