Steven Chase: A Career Defined by Investigative Rigor and National Impact
Steven Chase is a Senior Parliamentary Reporter at The Globe and Mail, Canada’s preeminent English-language news outlet. With over two decades of experience in federal politics and investigative journalism, Chase has cemented his reputation as a trusted authority on national security, foreign interference, and high-stakes diplomacy. His work has reshaped public discourse on Canada’s democratic institutions and earned him accolades for meticulous sourcing and narrative depth.
Career Trajectory: From Alberta Politics to National Security
- Early Career (1990s): Began reporting on Alberta politics for the Calgary Herald and Calgary Sun, honing skills in policy analysis and legislative coverage.
- Joining The Globe and Mail (1998): Transitioned to federal politics in Ottawa, covering post-9/11 security reforms and the Harper government’s foreign policy.
- Investigative Breakthroughs (2020s): Collaborated with Robert Fife on groundbreaking reports about Chinese interference in Canadian elections, triggering a federal inquiry.
Key Articles and Impact
- TD Bank closed accounts of pro-Beijing organization over money laundering concerns This 2023 investigation revealed TD Bank’s decision to shutter accounts tied to a pro-Beijing group and then-MP Han Dong, citing suspicious financial activity. Chase and co-author Robert Fife leveraged confidential documents from Canada’s financial watchdog to expose potential foreign influence operations. The report underscored vulnerabilities in Canada’s anti-money laundering frameworks and sparked parliamentary debates about oversight mechanisms. Its methodology combined forensic analysis of banking records with anonymized interviews from intelligence sources, setting a benchmark for cross-institutional investigative journalism.
- The article’s impact was immediate: it prompted calls for stricter transparency laws and influenced the Trudeau government’s decision to expand the mandate of the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference. By linking financial transactions to geopolitical strategy, Chase highlighted how economic systems can be weaponized in hybrid warfare.
- Trump hits pause on trade war after Trudeau vows new border measures In this 2025 analysis, Chase dissected the fragile truce between Canada and the U.S. following threats of steel and aluminum tariffs. He detailed Ottawa’s concessions, including enhanced border security to curb fentanyl trafficking, and contextualized the negotiations within broader North American trade tensions. The piece stood out for its granular breakdown of sector-specific impacts, particularly on energy exports and automotive supply chains.
- Chase’s access to senior government officials provided readers with a rare glimpse into backroom diplomacy, emphasizing Canada’s reliance on economic interdependence with the U.S. The article also forecasted long-term risks of protectionist policies, blending data-driven projections with geopolitical analysis.
- Chinese Ambassador to Canada Wang Di Conducts an Exclusive Interview Chase’s March 2025 interview with Ambassador Wang Di marked a rare diplomatic engagement amid escalating Canada-China tensions. The discussion focused on Beijing’s desire to deepen economic ties while addressing Ottawa’s concerns about Arctic security and intellectual property theft. Chase skillfully balanced direct questioning with contextual framing, pressing Wang on allegations of state-sponsored espionage without devolving into confrontation.
- The article’s significance lay in its timing: published days before a major bilateral trade summit, it influenced stakeholder perceptions of China’s strategic priorities. By including unedited excerpts alongside analytical commentary, Chase provided readers with both primary-source material and expert interpretation.
Beat Analysis and Pitching Recommendations
1. Focus on Geopolitical Implications of Economic Policies
Chase consistently prioritizes stories that intersect trade, security, and diplomacy. Pitches should emphasize how fiscal decisions—such as tariffs or infrastructure investments—affect Canada’s global alliances. For example, his coverage of critical mineral exports to the U.S. (2025) demonstrated how resource management is intertwined with defense strategy. Successful pitches will offer access to policymakers or leaked documents that reveal behind-the-scenes negotiations.
2. Leverage Expertise in Financial Crime and National Security
With a proven track record in exposing money laundering networks, Chase is particularly interested in financial systems exploited by foreign actors. Sources with knowledge of banking irregularities or corporate espionage should highlight jurisdictional challenges or regulatory loopholes. His TD Bank investigation (2023) exemplifies the value of cross-referencing public records with insider accounts.
3. Avoid Hyperlocal or Partisan Angles
While Chase covers federal politics, he avoids municipal governance or partisan rhetoric. Pitches about provincial elections or party infighting are unlikely to resonate. Instead, focus on how federal policies—such as cybersecurity funding or intelligence-sharing agreements—have nationwide repercussions.
Awards and Achievements
2024 Canadian Hillman Prize
Chase and Robert Fife received this honor for their 2023 series on Chinese interference, which the Sidney Hillman Foundation hailed as “a masterclass in accountability journalism.” The judges noted the reporters’ unprecedented access to classified materials and their ability to distill complex intelligence into public-interest narratives. This award, often considered Canada’s pinnacle of investigative reporting, solidified Chase’s status as a leader in national security journalism.
2023 Charles Lynch Award
Bestowed by the Parliamentary Press Gallery, this award recognized Chase’s “outstanding coverage of national affairs” across 17 groundbreaking stories. The selection committee praised his tenacity in pursuing high-risk sources and his ethical rigor in handling sensitive leaks. This accolade underscores his dual role as a journalist and custodian of democratic transparency.
