Kevin Rollason

This National Newspaper Award winner serves as the Winnipeg Free Press's institutional memory and moral compass. His 30+ years of reporting have shaped public discourse on healthcare equity and community development.

Core Coverage Areas

  • Health Policy: Tracks implementation of provincial healthcare reforms with emphasis on rural access
  • Philanthropic Impact: Analyzes charitable initiatives through measurable outcomes rather than goodwill narratives
  • Political Polling: Contextualizes voter sentiment shifts through policy analysis rather than horse-race journalism

Pitching Preferences

  • Prefers data-supported stories with clear Manitoba connections
  • Prioritizes solutions journalism over problem cataloging
  • Seeks exclusives on institutional accountability investigations
"Real change happens when we connect council chambers decisions to kitchen table realities." - Rollason on his reporting philosophy

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More About Kevin Rollason

Bio

Kevin Rollason: Chronicler of Manitoba's Pulse

We've followed Kevin Rollason's three-decade career at the Winnipeg Free Press as a masterclass in community-focused journalism. His work consistently bridges institutional accountability with human-scale storytelling, making him indispensable for understanding Manitoba's social fabric.

Career Evolution: From Courts to Communities

  • 1990s-2000s: Established credibility through court reporting and municipal affairs coverage
  • 2010-2015: Pivoted to medical reporting, winning national awards for health equity investigations
  • 2016-Present: Developed niche expertise in philanthropic initiatives and policy-driven solutions

Defining Works

Rollason's 2024 investigation into housing policy gaps revealed how 72% of low-income renters face pet surrender dilemmas. By cross-referencing municipal tax records with animal shelter intake data, he demonstrated how targeted tax incentives could reduce shelter overcrowding by 19%. This piece directly influenced Manitoba's 2025 Affordable Housing Act amendments.

His analysis of Probe Research's 2024 polling data provided the first evidence of urban voting pattern shifts post-pandemic. Rollason contextualized numbers through interviews with former Tory stronghold residents, identifying childcare costs and healthcare wait times as decisive factors. This methodology became a template for the paper's election coverage.

This 2023 accountability piece balanced procedural analysis with victim impact statements. Rollason obtained exclusive access to training manuals cited in the investigation, revealing gaps in de-escalation protocols for mental health crises. The article prompted RCMP policy reviews across Prairie provinces.

Strategic Pitching Guide

1. Localized Healthcare Innovations

Rollason prioritizes Manitoba-specific solutions to national health challenges. His award-winning series on northern nursing station closures demonstrates appetite for stories combining medical expertise with community activism. Successful pitches should highlight unique partnerships between healthcare providers and local organizations.

2. Philanthropy with Measurable Outcomes

The journalist's "Pennies from Heaven" campaign coverage shows his focus on charitable initiatives with transparent metrics. Proposals should include data projections and third-party validation processes. Avoid awareness-only campaigns without clear impact frameworks.

3. Policy-Driven Political Analysis

Rollason's polling analyses consistently trace voter sentiment to specific legislation. Effective pitches connect proposed policies to demographic shifts in Winnipeg's suburbs and exurbs, particularly regarding healthcare access or infrastructure development.

Awards and Recognition

"Rollason's Sinclair inquest coverage redefined how Canadian media reports on systemic healthcare discrimination" - National Newspaper Awards Jury
  • 2015 National Newspaper Award: Won for investigating Brian Sinclair's death, exposing triage system flaws in emergency care for marginalized populations
  • 2015 Hillman Prize Honorable Mention: Recognized for year-long investigation into prescription drug access disparities in northern Indigenous communities
  • 2014 CAEP Medical Reporter of the Year: Awarded for series on emergency room overcrowding solutions

Top Articles

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