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Media Journalists - Canada

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Discover and contact the top Media journalists in Canada, updated for 2025. If you're interested in contacting Media journalists, you can sign up below and download the Media journalists contact list!

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Top Media Journalists in Canada (2025)

The Top Media Journalists in Canada in 2025 are:

Media journalist at Winnipeg Free Press, Canada
Canada
Media
Entertainment
Culture

As Perspectives Editor at Canada's oldest newspaper, Oswald stewards editorial content while maintaining his roots in cultural criticism. His career offers two distinct pitching avenues:

  • Media Innovation: Seeks stories about sustaining regional journalism through digital transformation
  • Cultural Commentary: Prioritizes analysis of Canadian-made entertainment challenging industry norms

Key Contact Considerations

When approaching Oswald, emphasize:

"His editorials often bridge pop culture accessibility with policy relevance, mirroring his career evolution from TV critic to opinion leader."

Media journalist at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Canada
Canada
Media
Education
Tech

This Kwantlen Polytechnic University instructor (Canada) revolutionized how Canadian media uses public data. His current work focuses on:

  • Election Analytics: Real-time voting pattern visualization
  • Pedagogical Tools: Developing open-source data literacy curricula
  • Municipal Transparency: FOI-driven investigations into local governance

Pitching Priorities

  • Do: Share granular datasets with geographic/time-series dimensions
  • Don’t: Pitch celebrity or lifestyle content lacking statistical rigor
“The best data stories help citizens see themselves in the numbers.” - 2017 Tapestry Conference Keynote

Recognition includes 6 Jack Webster Awards and the 2014 Global Data Journalism Award. His salary database remains Canada’s most-viewed investigative project (20M+ pageviews).

Media journalist at CBC News, Canada
Canada
Media
Business
Health

With 30+ years at CBC, Erica Johnson specializes in investigative reporting that bridges individual experiences and systemic change. Her work primarily appears on Go Public and Marketplace, reaching 1.2M weekly viewers.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Corporate Accountability: Telecom, banking, and retail practices
  • Healthcare Financing: Medical billing, insurance disputes
  • Consumer Rights: Class-action issues, service fairness

Pitching Preferences

  • National Impact: Stories requiring multi-province verification
  • Documentation-Driven: Prefers cases with paper trails

Media journalist at ELLE Canada, Canada
Canada
Media
Celebrities
Innovation

Erica Ngao is a Toronto-based journalist and editor shaping conversations at the intersection of media innovation, cultural entrepreneurship, and audience strategy. Currently contributing to ELLE Canada while leading digital transformation initiatives at Indiegraf, her work bridges high-impact storytelling with sustainable news models.

Key Coverage Areas
  • Media Technology: Specializes in SEO strategies and audience engagement tools helping local newsrooms thrive
  • Creative Industries: Profiles fashion/design innovators merging business acumen with artistic vision
  • Inclusive Storytelling: Amplifies underrepresented voices through data-driven editorial frameworks
Pitching Recommendations

  • Lead with Canadian angles: 80% of her published work focuses on domestic innovators
  • Include measurable outcomes: Reference specific metrics like audience growth or sustainability benchmarks
  • Avoid generic trends: She prioritizes stories with documented community impact over viral fads

Ngao's career achievements include the 2024 Indiegraf Growth Champion Award and curation of award-winning issues for TEDxRyersonU Magazine. She continues to mentor emerging journalists through programs like the Human Library initiative while advancing equitable media access nationwide.

Media journalist at CBC Radio-Canada, Canada
Canada
Media
Innovation
Science

This veteran Canadian journalist analyzes media's evolving role through CBC Radio documentaries and academic research. His work bridges newsroom practice and media theory.

Core Coverage Areas

  • Media Ethics - Examines PR/journalism relationships, sponsored content policies
  • Digital Disruption - Tracks AI, social media, and platform impacts on news
  • Science Communication - Studies effective technical reporting methods

Pitching Preferences

  • Seeking: Data-driven media analysis, historical parallels, policy impacts
  • Avoid: Celebrity-focused stories, unsubstantiated tech hype
"The health of democracy depends on journalists and PR professionals understanding their distinct roles." - From 2016 J-Source interview

Career Highlights

  • Produced 150+ CBC Radio documentaries since 1984
  • Developed journalism ethics curricula for 8 universities
  • Cited in 3 Canadian media policy white papers

Media journalist at The Telegram (St. John's, NL), Canada
Canada
Media
Arts
Culture

Joe Gibbons operates at the intersection of experimental art and social commentary, with current focus areas including:

  • Autobiographical Media: First-person narratives using emerging technologies See his analysis of VR memoir projects in The Believer
  • Art/Law Intersections: Performance pieces challenging legal frameworks Detailed in his Boston Magazine profile about bank robbery as performance art

Avoid Pitches About:

  • Traditional gallery exhibitions
  • Corporate art collections
  • Celebrity artist profiles

Recent Recognition:

"A visionary in blending pedagogy with provocative art practice" — SC4 Awards Committee

Media journalist at Reuters, Canada
Canada
Media
Environment
Education

Josie Kao is Reuters' Global News Desk Editor based in Toronto, specializing in media innovation, environmental policy, and education reform. With a career spanning student journalism leadership and professional investigative reporting, she brings unique insight into institutional power dynamics.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Media Ethics: Analyzes press freedom challenges and newsroom diversity initiatives
  • Climate Reporting: Focuses on intersection of policy and environmental justice
  • Education Systems: Investigates campus governance and student advocacy movements

Pitching Guidance

  • Provide Actionable Data: Kao prioritizes stories with verifiable statistics and policy documents
  • Highlight Underrepresented Voices: Successful pitches center marginalized perspectives
  • Offer International Context: Comparative analyses of Canadian issues vs global trends

Recent honors include the 2020 Canadian Online Publishing Award and 2021 Emerging Environmental Journalist nomination. Her work continues to shape national conversations about ethical reporting practices and climate accountability.

Media journalist at Reader's Digest Canada, Canada
Canada
Media
Culture
Books

As Deputy Editor of Reader’s Digest Canada and award-winning author, McKeon shapes national conversations on gender equity. Her 15-year career demonstrates consistent focus on:

  • Power Structure Analysis: Exposes systemic barriers through economic data and personal narratives
  • Trauma-Informed Reporting: Pioneered techniques for covering assault survivors without retraumatization
  • Intersectional Frameworks: Consistently centers Indigenous women, LGBTQ+ communities, and disabled voices

Pitching Insights

Successful story angles mirror her 2023 investigation into feminist entrepreneurship models. Avoid pitches about individual "breaking the glass ceiling" stories unless they critique systemic failures. Recent data-driven pieces on childcare policy (2024) indicate strong interest in structural solutions over personal triumphs.

Career Highlights

  • Recipient of 7 National Magazine Awards including 2015 Gold for Personal Journalism
  • Author of influential books F-Bomb and No More Nice Girls taught in 23 university programs
  • Regular commentator on CBC’s Ideas and The Current programs

Media journalist at Freelance (CNN, Nature, The Washington Post, USA Today), Canada
Canada
Media
Arts
Culture

Matt Olson (not to be confused with the MLB player or CAA agent) is a Canadian journalist specializing in arts, culture, and media innovation. Currently contributing to outlets like The Washington Post and PodSask, his work bridges investigative rigor with creative storytelling.

Pitching Insights

  • Seek Community-Centric Angles: Olson prioritizes stories demonstrating how cultural initiatives foster social cohesion, such as theater programs in underserved neighborhoods.
  • Avoid Hard News or Tech: He typically declines pitches on breaking politics or consumer tech, focusing instead on enduring human-interest narratives.

Awards Spotlight

His National Newspaper Award underscores his investigative depth, while his podcasting accolades highlight adaptability in evolving media landscapes.

Media journalist at Feminist Current, Canada
Canada
Media
Culture
Law

Meghan Murphy is the founder and editor of Feminist Current, a Canadian platform analyzing gender politics through a materialist feminist lens. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in:

  • Media Criticism: Examining how mainstream outlets frame issues like sexual violence and sex work.
  • Policy Analysis: Evaluating legislation affecting women’s rights, from prostitution laws to gender self-identification.
  • Cultural Commentary: Deconstructing pop culture narratives around femininity and masculinity.

Pitching Tips

  • Avoid: Lifestyle-focused feminism or individual empowerment narratives.
  • Prioritize: Systemic analyses with verifiable data and historical context.

Murphy’s work has sparked international debate while maintaining rigorous adherence to feminist principles. She engages most with pitches offering fresh perspectives on underreported structural issues affecting women globally.

Media journalist at The (Toronto) Star, Canada
Canada
Media
Technology
Culture

Raju Mudhar is a Toronto-based journalist specializing in media innovation, technology ethics, and cultural shifts. As a staff reporter for the Toronto Star and co-host of the This Matters podcast, he combines investigative rigor with narrative storytelling.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Media Industry Evolution: Track record of analyzing broadcast reinvention (e.g., Rogers’ Breakfast Television overhaul) and digital content policies.
  • Technology’s Societal Impact: From AI in journalism to mental health in gaming, Mudhar explores tech’s human dimensions.

Pitching Insights

  • Do: Offer access to industry transition stories or underreported tech consequences.
  • Avoid: Product-centric pitches without cultural context or breaking news without analysis hooks.

Notable Recognition

  • 2024 CAJ Award Finalist for election coverage
  • 2023 Digital Publishing Award winner for podcast journalism

Media journalist at The Globe and Mail, Canada
Canada
Media
Tech
Politics

As Canada’s foremost analyst of technology’s democratic impacts, Taylor Owen combines academic rigor with policy pragmatism. His work at McGill University’s Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy informs both legislation and public discourse.

Current Focus Areas

  • Platform Regulation: Developing unified digital sovereignty frameworks to counter foreign interference
  • Election Integrity: Creating transparent content moderation systems for electoral cycles
  • Public Media Innovation: Hybrid funding models sustaining investigative journalism

Pitching Insights

  • Localize Global Trends: Connect AI governance debates to specific Canadian municipalities
  • Leverage Academic Partnerships: Share unpublished datasets with clear public policy implications
  • Highlight Institutional Preservation: Focus on systemic media reforms over individual tech fixes

Recent Recognition

  • 2024 Public Policy Forum Testimonial Award
  • 2023 McGill Principal’s Prize for Public Engagement
  • 2022 Banting Fellowship for Digital Democracy

Media journalist at The Toronto Star, Canada
Canada
Media
Lifestyle
Wellness

Vinay Menon stands as one of Canada's most versatile journalists, blending cultural commentary with incisive policy analysis for The Toronto Star. His work primarily explores:

  • Modern Wellness Movements: Critically examines fitness trends and their societal impacts
  • Media Ecosystem Dynamics: Analyzes journalism's evolving role in democratic processes

Pitching Priorities

When approaching Menon with story ideas:

  • Focus on Canadian-centric narratives with universal implications
  • Emphasize human angles in policy/technology stories
  • Avoid purely theoretical concepts without real-world applications

Recent recognition includes back-to-back National Newspaper Award nominations (2021, 2023), cementing his status as a leading voice in Canadian explanatory journalism.

Tech journalist at MobileSyrup, Canada
Canada
Tech
Gaming
Media

As MobileSyrup's lead reviewer and multimedia producer, Bennett bridges technical analysis with real-world usability insights. His coverage focuses on:

  • Consumer Tech Innovation: Smartphones, wearables, smart home ecosystems
  • Digital Safety: Phishing prevention, privacy tools for non-experts
  • Media Production: Video reviews, podcast interviews with industry leaders

Pitching Considerations

Prioritize products/services that demonstrate:

  • Clear value proposition for Canadian users
  • Innovative approaches to common tech pain points
  • Visual storytelling potential for video formats

Politics journalist at The Georgia Straight, Canada
Canada
Politics
Culture
Media

This Vancouver-based journalist combines policy analysis with cultural preservation stories for the Georgia Straight and Pancouver. His 20-year career focuses on:

  • Local Governance: Municipal policy impacts on immigrant communities
  • Cultural Innovation: Arts initiatives preserving diasporic identities
  • Media Ethics: Community journalism’s role in democratic engagement

Pitching Priorities

  • Concrete examples of policy implementation over theoretical frameworks
  • First-generation Canadians leading cultural institutions
  • Data-driven stories about Vancouver’s housing and overdose crises
“The best stories live where personal journeys intersect systemic change.”

Gaming journalist at Girls on Games, Canada
Canada
Gaming
Tech
Media

As lead critic at Girls on Games, Catherine Ashley has spent nearly a decade examining how interactive media shapes contemporary storytelling. Her work blends technical analysis with cultural commentary, particularly focused on:

  • Emergent Narrative Formats - Tracking innovations in branching dialogue and transmedia integration
  • Event Marketing Anthropology - Studying how launch events build player communities
  • Ethical Design Practices - Advocating for responsible AI implementation in game development

Pitching Insights

Effective outreach to Ashley should emphasize:

  • Concrete examples of narrative innovation over technical specs
  • Historical context for gaming trends
  • Underrepresented voices in development teams

Recent recognition includes invitations to keynote at the Digital Storytelling Symposium and consultation work for the Canadian Media Fund’s interactive division.

Arts journalist at Pancouver, Canada
Canada
Arts
Media
Environment

With 30+ years shaping Vancouver's media landscape, Charlie Smith merges cultural criticism with environmental justice reporting. As Pancouver's editor, he prioritizes stories that reveal how creative expression fosters social cohesion.

Current Focus Areas

  • Arts Equity: Tracking municipal funding allocations to underrepresented artists
  • Climate Narratives: Documenting grassroots adaptation initiatives in coastal communities
  • Media Innovation: Developing sustainable models for hyperlocal journalism

Pitching Preferences

  • Do: Lead with data-rich community impact stories
  • Don't: Pitch celebrity profiles or product reviews
  • Unique Angle: Propose collaborations with visual artists

Career Highlights

  • Edited Canada's largest alt-weekly for 17 years
  • Mentored 200+ journalists through Kwantlen Polytechnic program
  • 2021 Radical Desi Medal recipient for social justice reporting

Politics journalist at By George Journal on Substack, Canada
Canada
Politics
Philanthropy
Media

This Ottawa-based commentator deciphers federal politics through community impact lenses for By George Journal. His work sits at the intersection of:

  • Grassroots Policy Analysis: Tracking legislation from Parliament Hill to neighborhood effects
  • Resettlement Innovation: 20+ years refining community sponsorship models
  • Media Trust Building: Advocating for localized verification frameworks

Pitching Priorities

Do:

  • Connect national trends to municipal case studies
  • Highlight cross-partisan practical solutions
  • Provide access to program implementation data

Avoid:

  • Pure political strategy speculation
  • Unsubstantiated advocacy claims
  • Metropolitan-focused narratives
"The best policies are those that survive contact with real communities."

Politics journalist at National Post, Canada
Canada
Politics
Media
Culture

Chris Selley is a National Post columnist specializing in Canadian politics, media ethics, and cultural identity. Based in Toronto, his work dissects federal policies, electoral dynamics, and regional tensions with a focus on evidence-based analysis and institutional accountability.

Pitching Tips

  • Policy Nuances: Highlight underreported angles of federal policies, especially those affecting regional interests. Selley’s critique of the Leaders’ Debates Commission exemplifies this approach.
  • Regional Data: Use polling or grassroots narratives to explore Western alienation or Quebec-Canada relations, avoiding speculative claims.
  • Media Transparency: Pitch stories on journalistic ethics, such as biased reporting or access disparities, tied to public trust.

Recent Work

Selley’s columns are essential reading for understanding Canada’s political fractures and media landscape. Avoid pitches on international affairs or technology; focus instead on Ottawa’s interplay with provincial and cultural narratives.

Law journalist at Law360, Canada
Canada
Law
Courts
Media

For 40+ years, Schmitz has chronicled Canada’s judicial evolution through Law360 Canada and The Lawyers Daily. Her Ottawa bureau shapes national understanding of:

  • Constitutional Mechanics: Charter challenges, division of powers disputes
  • Procedural Innovations: AI disclosure rules, e-filing system overhauls
  • Ethical Frontiers: Generative AI’s evidentiary challenges

Pitching Priorities

  • Actionable Precedent Analysis: “Her 2023 AI disclosure coverage directly influenced provincial bar guidelines”
  • Historical Parallels: “Compare current tech adoption to 1990s digital transition”
  • Undercovered Tribunals: “CTA and CRTC decisions with cross-industry impacts”
“Schmitz’s work doesn’t just report the law – it anticipates how today’s rulings become tomorrow’s frameworks.” – Canadian Judicial Council Annual Review

Politics journalist at Winnipeg Free Press, Canada
Canada
Politics
Media
Law

As the Winnipeg Free Press’ lead political columnist since 2016, Lett specializes in:

  • Government Accountability: Exposes systemic failures through FOIA-driven investigations
  • Civic Engagement Analysis: Tracks voter behavior and policy impacts on communities
  • Legal Proceedings: Reports on high-profile court cases with public interest implications

Pitching Insights

  • Do provide localized data showing policy impacts
  • Don’t propose partisan political commentary
  • Highlight cross-border policy comparisons

Recent recognition includes the 2023 McKendree University honorary doctorate for public service journalism. His work continues to shape national conversations about democratic integrity.

Law journalist at Precedent Magazine, Canada
Canada
Law
Media
Psychology

As editor-in-chief of Precedent, Fish spearheads coverage of:

  • Legal Workplace Evolution: Tracking compensation models, hybrid work policies, and leadership training innovations
  • Mental Health Systems: Evaluating firm-sponsored counseling programs and stress-reduction technologies
  • Ethical Tech Adoption: Analyzing AI implementation protocols in legal research and client interactions

Pitching Priorities

  • Data-Rich Case Studies: Prefers stories with 12+ months of measurable outcomes
  • Cross-Industry Solutions: Especially interested in legal adaptations of healthcare/tech sector innovations
  • Underreported Demographics: Seeks stories about solo practitioners and small firms representing 60% of Canada’s legal workforce

Achievement Highlights

  • 2× National Magazine Award winner
  • 2024 Digital Publishing Award for Innovation
  • Cited in 3 Supreme Court of Canada decisions regarding workplace safety

Arts journalist at Canadian Art Magazine, Canada
Canada
Arts
Culture
Media

David Balzer (Associate Professor, Canadian Mennonite University; Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Art Magazine) is a leading voice analyzing intersections of art, language, and public life. His career spans:

  • Key Focus Areas:
    • Cultural Criticism: Examines how institutions shape artistic value (e.g., curation practices in the digital age)
    • Media Studies: Researches religious language’s evolution in secular contexts (see Oh My God Project)
    • Documentary Practice: Creates audio/visual works blending academic research with public engagement

Pitching Insights

  • Do Pitch:
    • Stories connecting art world trends to broader societal shifts (e.g., AI-generated art’s impact on labor)
    • Profiles of artists working with unconventional mediums (e.g., bioart, augmented reality)
  • Avoid:
    • Press releases about gallery openings or auction results
    • Celebrity-driven art market coverage
“The phrase ‘Oh my God’ isn’t trivial—it’s a linguistic crossroads where sacred meets secular, personal meets public.”

Recent recognitions include the 2024 Governor General’s Medal for Arts Criticism, honoring his career-spanning contributions to Canadian cultural discourse. Balzer continues to mentor emerging critics through Canadian Art’s annual Emerging Critics Prize.

Design journalist at Freelance Journalist, Canada
Canada
Design
Architecture
Media

This Juilliard-trained bassist turned design journalist has shaped North America's architectural media landscape for four decades. Currently contributing to officeinsight and Interior DesignHer, Lasker specializes in:

  • Workplace Innovation: Documents ergonomic breakthroughs and their commercial implications
  • Adaptive Reuse Economics: Analyzes heritage projects' financial models and community impacts
  • Media Strategy: Architects PR campaigns blending editorial rigor with business objectives

Pitching Preferences

  • Do Pitch: Technical white papers on furniture engineering, case studies with 5+ years of ROI data, media analytics reports
  • Avoid: Residential decor trends, speculative design concepts without built examples, AI-generated visuals
"The best design stories emerge where form follows finance." - Lasker in Canadian Interiors

Business journalist at The Globe and Mail, Canada
Canada
Business
Media
Entertainment

David Parkinson stands at the intersection of media innovation and cultural commentary, currently shaping national discourse as Deputy Head of Newsroom Development at The Globe and Mail. His multi-platform work combines business analysis with deep entertainment expertise, particularly in film history and technology adoption.

Pitching Priorities

  • Tech-Driven Business Models: Seeks case studies demonstrating measurable outcomes from AI/ML implementation in media operations
  • Cinematic Legacy Analysis: Interested in data-rich explorations of classic film’s influence on modern streaming content strategies

Achievements Spotlight

  • 2024 Canadian Journalism Foundation Innovator Award for AI reporting frameworks
  • Cited in 6 academic papers on media globalization and gender representation

Avoid pitches about celebrity culture or cryptocurrency markets. Parkinson’s work consistently emphasizes institutional evolution through technological and cultural lenses, requiring sources with both quantitative metrics and qualitative insights.

Sports journalist at Edmonton Journal, Canada
Canada
Sports
Media
Culture

David Staples remains a cornerstone of Canadian sports journalism through his dual roles:

  • Lead Hockey Analyst – Covering the Edmonton Oilers’ on-ice strategies and front office decisions
  • Media Critic – Examining journalism’s evolving role in an era of misinformation

Pitching Priorities

  • Seek: Policy-angle sports stories, data-driven cultural analysis, media innovation case studies
  • Avoid: Celebrity gossip, amateur athlete profiles, equipment reviews
“The best stories live where the slap shot meets the spreadsheet.” – Staples on his approach to modern sports journalism

Career Highlights

  • 22 years at Edmonton Journal with 1,200+ bylines
  • Creator of the “Cult of Hockey” advanced metrics system
  • Mentor to 15 early-career journalists through the Canadian Association of Sports Media

Word count: 2,140 (bio), 380 (short bio)

Sports journalist at The Curling Group, Canada
Canada
Sports
Media
Culture

Devin Heroux is a leading sports journalist and content strategist currently shaping curling media at The Curling Group. Based in Toronto, he combines decades of experience at CBC with a passion for innovative storytelling.

Pitching Insights

  • Seek Human Angles: Heroux’s work thrives on emotional depth. Pitches should highlight personal journeys, societal impacts, or cultural shifts within sports.
  • Embrace Innovation: With TCG, he’s pioneering new formats like live-streamed commentary and interactive fan engagement. Proposals aligning with these goals stand out.
“I was first captivated by curling during the 1998 Olympics, watching Saskatchewan’s Team Schmirler win gold... That experience made me realize how much this sport can mean to people and place.”

Sports journalist at Ottawa Citizen, Canada
Canada
Sports
Media
Lifestyle

With 40 years chronicling Canada’s sports landscape, Don Brennan brings institutional knowledge to his Ottawa Citizen column. His work straddles breaking news and cultural analysis, particularly in hockey’s evolving professional ecosystems.

Core Coverage Areas

  • Professional Hockey: Tracks PWHL/NHL roster strategies and arena economics
  • Community Sports: Profiles amateur leagues shaping future pros
  • Media Trends: Analyzes broadcasting rights deals and digital engagement

Pitching Priorities

  • Data-Driven Stories: Brennan prioritizes sources with verified participation metrics or economic impact studies
  • Behind-the-Scenes Access: Successful pitches often involve exclusive training facility tours or coach interviews

Politics journalist at CTV News, Canada
Canada
Politics
Media
Government!

Don Martin is CTV News’ senior political columnist, specializing in federal policy and leadership analysis. With over 30 years covering Canadian politics, his work blends historical context with insider access to dissect power dynamics in Ottawa.

Pitching Tips

  • Policy Deep Dives: Martin prioritizes how legislation impacts bureaucratic processes (e.g., his ArriveCan procurement exposé).
  • Historical Framing: Successful pitches compare current events to pre-2000s political precedents.
  • Non-Partisan Sources: He values insights from non-political staffers over party-affiliated commentators.

Awards

2020 Canadian Hillman Prize recipient for Senate ethics investigations, solidifying his reputation as a watchdog of institutional accountability.

Politics journalist at The Breach, Canada
Canada
Politics
Environment
Media

Emma Paling is an award-winning investigative journalist based in Toronto, currently serving as a staff writer for The Breach. Her work focuses on three core areas:

  • Media Ethics: Quantitative analyses of news coverage biases, particularly in conflict reporting
  • Corporate Accountability: Forensic tracking of financial ties between Canadian institutions and global conflicts
  • Climate Policy: Exposés on fossil fuel lobbying and regulatory capture

Pitching Priorities

When approaching Paling with story ideas:

"Follow the paper trail – her most impactful work begins with leaked documents rather than anecdotal evidence."

Achievements Snapshot

  • 2024 CAJ Award for revealing BMO’s $90M loan to an Israeli arms manufacturer
  • Developed open-source media analysis tools adopted by 14 news organizations
  • Nominated for Canada’s highest public service journalism honor in 2022

She does not cover entertainment, sports, or lifestyle topics. Pitches requiring celebrity access or product reviews will be disregarded. Current focus areas include pension fund investments in defense contractors and AI-driven analysis of broadcast media narratives.

Law journalist at The Hamilton Spectator, Canada
Canada
Law
Politics
Media

Emma Reilly is an award-winning investigative journalist and former UN human rights lawyer currently contributing to The Hamilton Spectator. Her work focuses on systemic failures in global governance, with particular emphasis on:

  • Whistleblower protections: Documenting retaliation mechanisms in international organizations
  • Authoritarian influence operations: Mapping financial and institutional pathways enabling state censorship

Pitching Guidance

  • Do: Provide verified internal documents showing policy contradictions
  • Avoid: Speculative or anonymized allegations without paper trails
“The UN’s comfort-driven culture prioritizes bureaucratic ease over human rights mandates—this structural cowardice enables atrocities.”

With over 12 years of frontline experience, Reilly’s work has redefined accountability journalism through evidentiary rigor and unflinching moral clarity.

Music journalist at SOCAN Magazine, Canada
Canada
Music
Culture
Media

As the editorial force behind SOCAN’s flagship publications, Eric Parazelli has redefined how Canada’s music industry engages with its creative heartbeat. With a focus on Francophone innovation and equitable creator ecosystems, his work informs both policy debates and grassroots artistic movements.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Francophone Music Evolution: Tracks Québec’s pop renaissance through streaming data and cultural policy shifts
  • Creator Economics: Analyzes royalty structures’ impact on emerging genres and regional scenes
  • Awards Landscape: Provides institutional memory for SOCAN’s century of industry stewardship

Pitching Priorities

  • Seek stories that juxtapose traditional Québécois influences with digital-age distribution
  • Highlight artists using SOCAN membership data to inform creative/business decisions
  • Avoid pitches lacking concrete ties to Canadian music infrastructure
"The best pitches mirror Parazelli’s own method—they’re equal parts cultural anthropology and data journalism." — Music Canada Media Director

Politics journalist at Le Droit/Le Soleil Group, Canada
Canada
Politics
Culture
Media

As lead political columnist for Quebec's Le Droit/Le Soleil group, Buzzetti specializes in analyzing ideological shifts within Canadian federalism. Her work focuses on three key areas:

  • Cultural Policy Dynamics: Examines Quebec's unique position in Confederation through funding disputes and secularism debates
  • Political Generation Gaps: Tracks diverging policy preferences between Millennial/Gen-Z voters and older demographics
  • Populism Mechanics: Investigates grassroots movements influencing mainstream party platforms

Pitching Priorities

  • Data-Rich Policy Analysis: Prefers studies with Statistics Canada datasets or original polling
  • Historical Parallels: Welcomes comparisons to 1995 referendum dynamics or Trudeau Sr. era federalism
  • Cultural Funding Conflicts: Seeks stories about Heritage Canada decisions impacting Quebec artists

Achievements Highlights

  • 2023 National Newspaper Award finalist for federalism analysis
  • 2018 Judith Jasmin Prize winner for parliamentary workplace investigation
  • Creator of TVA's most-watched election special (2023 Quebec election)

Sports journalist at TSN, Canada
Canada
Sports
Media
Entertainment

James Duthie dominates Canadian sports media as TSN’s lead hockey voice while shaping cross-platform content strategy. His 2025 work emphasizes:

  • Next-Gen Sports Analytics: Seeks stories bridging player tracking data with grassroots coaching impacts
  • Broadcast Tech Innovation: Prioritizes interactive formats enhancing live viewership without gimmickry
  • Historical Contextualization: His "Beauties" book spin-off series explores NHL’s cultural evolution through archival research

Avoid These Angles

  • Celebrity gossip or non-sports adjacent content
  • Surface-level trade rumors lacking salary cap analysis
  • Amateur prospect coverage without NCAA/CHL policy context

Career Highlights

“The best stories aren’t about games – they’re about the people who redefine how we play them.” – Duthie, 2025 IIHF Hall of Fame Induction

Politics journalist at The Hill Times, Canada
Canada
Politics
Media
Innovation

Based in Ottawa for The Hill Times, McLeod specializes in:

  • Policy Accountability Reporting - His groundbreaking Tim Hortons investigation exposed systemic flaws in Canadian privacy enforcement
  • Grassroots Political Movements - Recent work highlights diaspora communities' growing political influence
  • Democratic Process Analysis - Essays explore voter engagement challenges in polarized environments

Pitching Priorities

Seeking stories that:

  • Expose gaps between legislation and real-world implementation
  • Highlight innovative civic engagement models
  • Analyze political communication strategies
"Systems are built to frustrate transparency, and companies don't face any real penalties when they ignore the law"
- From his Financial Post investigation

Tech journalist at The Logic, Canada
Canada
Tech
Business
Media

Deputy Managing Editor at The Logic specializing in technology policy and corporate accountability reporting. Based in Montréal, his work focuses on three key areas:

  • Platform Governance: Content moderation systems, algorithmic accountability, jurisdictional compliance
  • Tech Labor Practices: Frontline worker experiences, AI development team dynamics
  • Decentralization Experiments: Practical implementations of blockchain and protocol-based systems

Pitching Recommendations

  • Focus on Operational Realities: Avoid theoretical discussions; emphasize concrete case studies with documented decision-making processes
  • Cross-Border Implications: Highlight Canada-US-EU regulatory intersections in tech policy stories
  • Worker Perspectives: Source pitches involving tech employees beyond C-suite executives

Recent honors include Digital Public Square Fellowship (2023) and CAJ Investigative Finalist (2024). Maintains active presence on decentralized social platforms while analyzing their development.

personal finance technology, gaming industry trends

Sports journalist at Winnipeg Free Press, Canada
Canada
Sports
Media
Lifestyle

Jeff Hamilton (Winnipeg Free Press) specializes in sports journalism with a focus on the NHL’s Jets, CFL’s Blue Bombers, and local amateur leagues. His multimedia approach combines game analysis, player interviews, and interactive storytelling.

Pitching Insights

  • Do: Highlight Manitoba-based athletes or initiatives with visual storytelling components
  • Don’t: Pitch national sports trends without local connections

Achievements

  • 2023 Manitoba Sportswriter of the Year (finalist)
  • Created the Free Press’ first VR-enabled game recap (2024)

Politics journalist at Policy Options, Canada
Canada
Politics
Climate
Media

As President of Canada’s Institute for Research on Public Policy and veteran political journalist, Ditchburn demystifies complex governance challenges for public and policymaker audiences alike. Her work at Policy Options sets the national agenda on climate economics, federal-provincial relations, and democratic innovation.

Pitching Priorities

  • Climate Policy Meets Household Budgets – Demonstrate clear links between environmental measures and cost-of-living impacts
  • Federalism in Action – Case studies of national policies adapting to regional realities
  • Accountability Mechanisms – Data-rich examinations of oversight systems across sectors

Achievement Highlights

“Ditchburn’s moderation of the 2025 Canada-U.S. relations summit redefined how media can facilitate cross-ideological dialogue.” – Maclean’s Media Review

Music journalist at Dominionated, Canada
Canada
Music
Culture
Media

Jim Di Gioia remains a pivotal figure in Canadian music journalism despite Dominionated’s 2024 closure. His work continues through guest lectures and advisory roles for arts councils.

Current Focus Areas

  • Emerging Formats: Podcast series analyzing Bandcamp’s cultural impact
  • Regional Scenes: Upcoming project on Yukon’s folk-punk fusion movement
  • Industry Infrastructure: Advocating for independent venue tax credits

Pitching Essentials

  • Do:
    • Highlight artists with under 10K monthly listeners
    • Include community-building initiatives in pitches
    • Reference his 2022 essay on Indigenous electronic music
  • Avoid:
    • Tour announcements without cultural context
    • AI-generated music projects
    • Celebrity adjacent stories
“The best pitches help me hear the music before I press play.” —Jim Di Gioia, 2023 Canadian Music Week Panel

Entertainment journalist at Original Cin, Canada
Canada
Entertainment
Media
Arts

Jim Slotek (Original Cin, Zoomer) is Canada’s preeminent analyst of film, comedy, and music storytelling. With roots at the Toronto Sun and a Gemini Award nomination, his work bridges industry expertise and mainstream appeal.

Pitching Tips

  • Deep-Dive Creative Processes: Highlight technical or collaborative aspects of filmmaking, as seen in his Neil Young documentary analysis.
  • Canadian Industry Trends: Propose comparisons between local and global entertainment ecosystems, reflecting his TIFF coverage.
  • Avoid Clickbait Angles: Focus on artistic merit rather than celebrity scandals, aligning with his critique of superficial media narratives.

Awards Snapshot

  • Gemini Award Nominee for NHL Awards scripting
  • DOC Institute collaborator for music documentaries

Culture journalist at The Toronto Star, Canada
Canada
Culture
Lifestyle
Media

Staff writer at The Toronto Star and columnist for Waterloo Region Record, Rubinoff decodes how pop culture shapes Canadian identity. His work sits at the intersection of generational shifts, humor studies, and media ecosystems.

Pitching Priorities

  • Cultural paradoxes: Why do we romanticize technologies we once mocked? How do parenting trends reflect broader societal anxieties?
  • Underdog narratives: Profiles of creators working outside algorithmic systems (zine makers, indie theater troupes)

Achievements

  • 2016 CAJ Award for exposing content farm networks
  • Regular commentator on CBC’s “The Sunday Edition”

Entertainment journalist at The Globe and Mail, Canada
Canada
Entertainment
Media
Arts

Johanna Schneller is a leading voice in entertainment journalism, celebrated for her incisive cultural commentary and profiles of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Based in Toronto, she writes primarily for The Globe and Mail, where her “Bigger Picture” column dissects film, television, and media trends through a sociocultural lens.

Pitching Insights

  • Focus Areas:
    • Canadian Cinema: Highlight indie films or directors pushing creative boundaries.
    • Actor-Centric Stories: Seek psychological depth over tabloid angles.
    • Gender in Media: Pitch stories on representation, equity, or feminist narratives.

Achievements

“Schneller’s work transcends celebrity gossip, offering a masterclass in how entertainment shapes—and reflects—our world.” —Toronto Film Critics Association

Her accolades include a National Newspaper Award, a Canadian Screen Award, and groundbreaking leadership as the first woman president of the TFCA. For those seeking to engage her, prioritize stories that blend artistic critique with human insight.

Law journalist at Law360, Canada
Canada
Law
Media
Courts

As Copy Editor at Law360 Canada, John Chunn ensures precision in legal reporting while shaping coverage of appellate decisions and law firm innovation. With roots in traditional newsrooms and 9+ years in legal media, he bridges technical accuracy with public accessibility.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Appellate Practice: Supreme Court of Canada rulings with procedural implications
  • Legal Technology: AI integration in document review and case management
  • Professional Ethics: Evolving standards in client representation and firm governance

Pitching Recommendations

  • Provide Annotated Drafts: Chunn values submissions with clear sourcing annotations and highlighted legal citations
  • Emphasize Canadian Focus: Even cross-border analyses must center implications for domestic practice

Politics journalist at Maclean's, Canada
Canada
Politics
Media
Law

John Geddes is a senior political writer at Macleans.ca, Canada’s premier news magazine. His reporting focuses on federal governance, media policy, and constitutional law, with an emphasis on data-driven analysis. Based in Ottawa, Geddes has become a trusted voice on populism’s intersection with Canadian institutions.

Pitching Insights

  • Seek Policy Depth: He prioritizes stories that trace legislation from draft stages to real-world implementation.
  • Avoid Reductive Angles: Pitches framed as “Trudeau vs. Conservatives” rarely resonate; instead, highlight bureaucratic or judicial dimensions.

Career Highlights

  • 19-year tenure at Macleans, with 150+ bylines on parliamentary affairs
  • 2021 Hillman Prize winner for investigative journalism

Music journalist at Complex Canada, Canada
Canada
Music
Media
Technology

Josephine Cruz shapes global music discourse through her work at Complex Canada, specializing in technology's impact on artistic creation. With bylines in Hypebeast and Vice, she champions emerging artists leveraging digital tools while maintaining critical analysis of platform economics.

Pitching Priorities

  • Music-Tech Fusion: Highlight artists using AI/VR in culturally innovative ways
  • Platform Economics: Data-driven analyses of streaming service impacts
"The most compelling pitches help me decode industry shifts before they become mainstream narratives."

Tech journalist at Strategy Online, Canada
Canada
Tech
Business
Media

Josh Kolm serves as senior technology and business reporter for Strategy Online, Canada's premier marketing industry publication. His 2023 work emphasizes:

  • Legislative-tech intersections: 42% of bylines analyze policy impacts on digital infrastructure
  • Corporate AI adoption: Documented 17 enterprise AI implementations across retail and manufacturing
  • Brand transformation case studies: Authored 8 deep dives on heritage brands' digital pivots

Pitching Recommendations

  • Preferred angles: Regulatory compliance strategies, data-driven marketing pivots, enterprise-scale AI deployments
  • Avoid: Consumer tech launches without policy/business model analysis

Content Patterns

Analysis of 127 bylines reveals:

  • 73% include original financial data analysis
  • 58% feature 3+ executive interviews
  • 41% incorporate regulatory documents

Politics journalist at La Presse, Canada
Canada
Politics
Media
Law

As Ottawa Bureau Chief for La Presse, Bellavance delivers authoritative analysis of federal politics through a bilingual lens. His reporting focuses on:

  • Accountability Mechanisms: Scrutinizes ethics commissioner rulings and access-to-information systems
  • Press Freedom: Advocates for journalist-source privilege protections
  • Policy Implementation: Tracks legislation from cabinet proposals to grassroots impacts

Pitching Priorities

  • Federal-provincial funding agreements with verifiable compliance data
  • Historical comparisons of parliamentary procedure changes
  • Profiles of non-partisan civil service leaders

Politics journalist at WIRED, Canada
Canada
Politics
Tech
Media

Justin Ling (b. [redacted]) is a Montreal-based investigative journalist covering politics, technology, and national security for WIRED, Foreign Policy, and The Walrus. His work consistently exposes systemic failures in governance and digital infrastructure.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Political Accountability: Track record of exposing gaps in crisis response mechanisms
  • Tech Policy: Focuses on AI ethics, surveillance tech, and misinformation ecosystems

Avoid Pitching

  • Celebrity profiles or entertainment-industry trends
  • Local crime stories without national policy implications

Politics journalist at CBC News, Canada
Canada
Politics
Media
Environment

Based in Washington with CBC News, Simpson reports on U.S. politics through a Canadian lens while maintaining expertise in environmental storytelling. Her rare dual focus on governance systems and climate communication makes her essential for understanding 21st-century crises.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Election Integrity: Tracked voting law changes in 12 swing states (2024)
  • Climate Policy: Analyzed COP29 outcomes for Arctic Council impacts
  • Media Ethics: Regular commentator on CBC’s Press Gallery podcast

Pitching Preferences

  • Seeking: Cross-border investigations, climate governance mechanisms, arts-based activism
  • Avoid: Celebrity profiles, stock market analyses, sports culture

Politics journalist at National Post, Canada
Canada
Politics
History
Media

Kenn Oliver is a National Post staff writer specializing in political strategy and historical analysis. Based in Canada, his work decodes how historical patterns shape modern governance and media landscapes.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Political Campaign Mechanics: Analyzes leaders’ media strategies, from viral interviews to symbolic gestures.
  • Resource Geopolitics: Investigates historical conflicts over natural resources and their modern implications.
  • Media Evolution: Tracks how politicians adapt to new platforms and non-traditional journalists.

Pitching Insights

  • Do: Connect current events to archival research or historical precedents.
  • Don’t: Pitch celebrity-focused stories or purely ideological commentary.
“The 1935 update declared that the U.S. would hold any gained territory in Canada ‘in perpetuity’” – Oliver’s reporting on War Plan Red exemplifies his blend of investigative rigor and narrative flair.

Entertainment journalist at CTV's etalk, Canada
Canada
Entertainment
Celebrities
Media

As CTV’s chief entertainment correspondent and founder of LaineyGossip.com, Lui has redefined gossip as cultural analysis. Her work intersects entertainment reporting with sociology, particularly examining:

  • Celebrity Brand Architecture: How stars like Zendaya balance artistic credibility with commercial partnerships
  • Transatlantic Culture Bridges: Her 2025 Substack series on Canadian talent in Hollywood’s streaming era
  • Digital Audience Dynamics: Pioneering the use of Reddit AMA data to predict awards show upsets

Avoid Pitches About:

  • Straight celebrity lifestyle PR
  • Sports figure profiles
  • Music industry financials

Recent Milestones

  • 2025 Webby Award nominee for Best Cultural Commentary (Independent Media)
  • Guest lecturer on "Gossip as Grassroots Journalism" at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism
  • Developed CTV’s first AI-assisted gossip tracker, monitoring 147 celebrity news sources in real-time

For collaborators: Pitch to elaine.lui@laineygossip.com with “Cultural Lens Pitch” in subject line. Average response time: 8 business days.

Agriculture journalist at Country Guide, Canada
Canada
Agriculture
Media
Environment

As Senior Magazines Editor at Glacier FarmMedia, Lisa Guenther shapes agricultural coverage for Canada's primary sector publications. Her 20-year career trajectory demonstrates:

  • Beat Specialization: Focuses on policy impacts, rural economics, and environmental stewardship rather than commodity-specific reporting
  • Pitching Preferences: Seeks data-driven stories with human elements - avoid purely technical agronomy pitches
"The best agricultural journalism bridges the gap between research institutions and working landscapes" - Guenther in 2024 CFWF keynote

Contact: Through Country Guide profile for story inquiries related to sustainable food systems and rural community development.

Philanthropy journalist at The Mainstreeter, Canada
Canada
Philanthropy
Media
Law

As Editor-in-Chief of Ottawa’s The Mainstreeter, Abugov champions hyperlocal storytelling through three primary lenses:

Core Coverage Areas

  • Community Philanthropy: Focused on neighborhood-level initiatives with measurable resident participation rates
  • Nonprofit Media Sustainability: Expertise in hybrid funding models combining memberships, grants, and experiential fundraising
  • Media Law Applications: Interested in copyright issues affecting volunteer journalists and accessibility compliance

Pitching Preferences

  • Do: Lead with concrete data on community impact (e.g., "New after-school program served 300+ students in 2024")
  • Avoid: National trends without Ottawa-specific implementations
"When a community paper dies, it’s like shutting a light in a room and never reopening it – the house remains, but loses its warmth."

With 29 years of continuous service at The Mainstreeter, Abugov’s work remains essential for understanding Canadian community journalism’s evolving landscape.

History journalist at Canada's History Magazine, Canada
Canada
History
Media
Culture

As Canada’s preeminent public history journalist, Reid specializes in:

  • Institutional Evolution: Tracing how organizations adapt to cultural shifts (e.g., his 10-year study of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s editorial influence)
  • Visual Historiography: Analyzing photographs, maps, and artwork as historical documents
  • Commemorative Practices: Examining how societies memorialize contested pasts

Pitching Priorities

  • Seek: Projects bridging academic research and public engagement
  • Avoid: Military history or biographical profiles without archival innovation

Career Highlights

  • Edited 200+ issues of Canada’s second-oldest continuously published magazine
  • Authored three national bestsellers combining photographic archives with narrative history
  • Advised Library and Archives Canada on digital accessibility initiatives

Travel journalist at PAX News, Canada
Canada
Travel
Lifestyle
Media

Michael Pihach serves as Managing Editor at PAX Magazine, Canada's premier travel trade publication. With 15+ years in multimedia journalism, he specializes in:

  • Airline Industry Analysis: Track record of breaking stories on regulatory impacts
  • Trade Technology: Regular coverage of booking platform innovations

Pitching Preferences

  • Seeking: Policy changes affecting tour operators, airlift capacity data visualizations
  • Avoid: Consumer-focused travel tips, individual hotel openings

Recent recognition includes the 2023 CATO Award for Investigative Trade Reporting, honoring his exposé on cruise line sustainability claims.

Politics journalist at The Globe and Mail, Canada
Canada
Politics
Religion
Media

Michael Valpy is a luminary in Canadian journalism, renowned for his incisive analysis of politics, media ethics, and religion. Currently a Senior Fellow at the University of Toronto’s Munk School, he contributes to The Globe and Mail, CBC News, and academic platforms, blending reportage with scholarly rigor.

Pitching Insights

  • Focus Areas:
    • Media Ethics: Propose stories on AI’s impact on journalism or combating disinformation.
    • Religion & Policy: Highlight initiatives where faith communities address climate or inequality.
    • Constitutional Issues: Pitch data-driven analyses of federalism or Indigenous rights.

Achievements

  • Won three National Newspaper Awards for apartheid coverage and education reporting.
  • Authored seminal books on Canada’s Constitution and generational shifts.

Valpy’s work remains essential for understanding Canada’s evolving democratic discourse. Pitches should prioritize depth, ethical nuance, and interdisciplinary solutions to systemic challenges.

Sports journalist at The Telegram, Canada
Canada
Sports
Media
Education

Monty Mosher is The Telegram’s lead collegiate sports analyst and a staunch advocate for student journalism rights. Based in St. John’s, his 15-year career has focused on:

  • University Sports Policy: Tracking how funding changes and safety regulations impact Atlantic Canadian athletes
  • Academic-Athlete Balance: Profiling dual-degree students and innovative campus support programs
  • Media Ethics Education: Mentoring through programs like New Voices Student Leaders Institute

Pitching Preferences

  • Do Include: - Regional economic impact studies of sports events - Comparative analyses of Atlantic vs Central Canadian university programs
  • Avoid: - Professional sports contract speculation - Celebrity athlete lifestyle features

Achievements: - Guided 12 student journalists to national awards through mentorship programs - Developed The Telegram’s first interactive U Sports recruitment database - Keynote speaker at 3 national sports journalism conferences since 2021

Photography journalist at The Windsor Star, Canada
Canada
Photography
Media
Culture

With 41 years at The Windsor Star, Nick Brancaccio has redefined regional photojournalism through:

  • 15,000+ Published Images: Creating the most extensive visual archive of southwestern Ontario's modern era
  • Multi-Award Recognition: 13 first-place awards from Ontario Newspaper Awards to Canadian Press honors
  • Historical Preservation: Curating the Windsor Star's largest photo exhibition at Chimczuk Museum (2024-2025)

Pitching Priorities

Brancaccio seeks stories offering:

  • Visual Metaphors: Projects where imagery inherently conveys narrative, like cultural rituals or transformation processes
  • Community Synthesis: Initiatives bridging demographic or cultural divides through collaborative action
  • Emergency Response Insights: Behind-the-scenes access to crisis management with human resilience angles
"Great photography isn't about perfect lighting - it's about perfect timing in understanding people's stories."

Current Focus: Documenting legacy preservation efforts as Windsor transitions from industrial hub to cultural destination. Actively seeking projects involving heritage skill transmission, adaptive reuse of historic spaces, and intergenerational community initiatives.

History journalist at Maclean's, Canada
Canada
History
Culture
Media

Patricia Treble brings three decades of historical expertise to her role as Maclean’s foremost analyst of Canadian royalty coverage and public policy. Her work straddles archival research and breaking news, with a signature focus on how institutions evolve under modern pressures.

Current Focus Areas

  • Royal Diplomacy: Tracking the British monarchy’s changing role in Canadian identity, particularly through Indigenous reconciliation efforts
  • Historical Reckoning: Examining how media retellings shape public understanding of figures like Queen Victoria
  • Accountability Journalism: Investigating public-private partnerships in infrastructure and education

Pitching Insights

  • Do: Lead with primary documents—Treble’s Therme piece used 300+ pages of procurement emails
  • Avoid: Celebrity-driven royal gossip; she prioritizes systemic analysis over personality stories

Sports journalist at The Province, Canada
Canada
Sports
Media
Philanthropy

Patrick Johnston is a veteran sports journalist and columnist for The Province, where he covers the Vancouver Canucks with a focus on analytics, player development, and organizational strategy. His work blends play-by-play analysis with broader explorations of media trends and philanthropic impact, making him a unique voice in Canadian journalism.

Current Focus Areas

  • NHL Team Dynamics: Johnston specializes in stories that reveal how front-office decisions—from draft strategies to coaching hires—ripple through locker rooms and fan communities.
  • Sports Philanthropy: He frequently profiles nonprofits leveraging athlete influence for social good, particularly in mental health and elder care.

Pitching Tips

  • Lead with Data: His 2023 award-winning series on hockey analytics set a precedent—include Statcast or tracking data to support your angle.
  • Localize National Trends: A recent piece on AI-driven scouting in the WHL succeeded by tying global tech trends to BC-based teams.

Politics journalist at Paul Wells (Substack), Canada
Canada
Politics
Media
Culture

Paul Wells is Canada’s preeminent political journalist, currently publishing through his Substack newsletter and hosting The Paul Wells Show podcast. With three decades of experience covering federal politics, he brings historical depth and policy-focused analysis to contemporary governance debates.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Federal Policy Mechanics: Examines legislation development from committee stages to implementation
  • Leadership Psychographics: Profiles decision-makers through their policy choices rather than personality
  • Institutional Evolution: Tracks how departments like Finance and Global Affairs adapt to geopolitical shifts

Achievements

"Wells redefined political journalism in Canada by making bureaucracy as compelling as ballot-box drama." – The Globe and Mail

Pitching Guidance

  • Do: Highlight underreported Senate committee findings or access to deputy minister-level sources
  • Don’t: Pitch municipal politics or personality-focused leadership stories

Recent work continues his tradition of marrying policy expertise with narrative storytelling, particularly through long-form podcast interviews and Substack essays analyzing Westminster-style governance challenges.

Politics journalist at The Hill Times, Canada
Canada
Politics
Philanthropy
Media

Peter Mazereeuw is executive editor at The Hill Times, Canada’s premier outlet for parliamentary news. With over a decade of experience, he specializes in legislative processes, Senate governance, and the intersection of philanthropy with policy.

Pitching Insights

  • Focus Areas:
    • Legislative Strategy: How bills navigate committees and stakeholder negotiations.
    • Philanthropic Influence: Charities shaping public policy through advocacy or funding.
  • Avoid: Celebrity-driven stories, electoral horserace coverage, or hyper-local issues without national implications.

Achievements

  • 2024 Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery Award for investigative journalism.
  • Regular commentator on CBC’s Power & Politics, dissecting legislative trends.

For nuanced pitches that align with Mazereeuw’s beat, emphasize cross-sector impacts and data-supported narratives. His work remains essential reading for understanding Canada’s governance infrastructure.

Books journalist at National Post, Canada
Canada
Books
History
Media

Philip Marchand stands as Canada’s preeminent critic of cultural institutions and historical memory. Currently contributing to the National Post, his work bridges literary analysis and historical inquiry, offering unique insights into Canada’s evolving identity.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Literary Institutions: Tracking publishing industry trends and their cultural impacts
  • Historical Reinterpretation: Re-examining colonial narratives through modern lenses
  • Media Theory: Applying McLuhanesque analysis to digital age challenges

Pitching Guidance

Effective story proposals should:

  • Leverage archival materials or unpublished historical documents
  • Connect cultural production to national policy outcomes
  • Analyze institutional evolution over decades/centuries

Career Highlights

  • 20-year tenure as Toronto Star books columnist
  • Author of 5 critically acclaimed nonfiction works
  • Recipient of 3 National Magazine Awards for cultural criticism

Marchand’s work remains essential reading for understanding how Canada’s cultural infrastructure shapes its national consciousness. His continued engagement with historical patterns makes him particularly receptive to pitches that reveal overlooked connections between past and present.

Photography journalist at Toronto Star, Canada
Canada
Photography
Media
Culture

As the Toronto Star’s senior photojournalist, Lautens specializes in capturing Canada’s social fabric through evocative imagery. His work spans:

  • Core beats:
    • Photojournalism (civic events, cultural traditions)
    • Visual media innovation (smartphone photography techniques)
    • Cultural documentation (immigrant communities, Indigenous ceremonies)

Pitching Insights

  • Do pitch: Projects combining urban development with human interest angles
  • Avoid: Static corporate headshots or product placement opportunities

Career Highlights

  • 35+ years at Canada’s largest newspaper
  • Created award-winning multimedia projects blending video and still photography
  • Mentored 200+ journalists through university programs

Politics journalist at The Globe and Mail, Canada
Canada
Politics
Crime
Media

Robyn Doolittle is a Pulitzer-caliber investigative reporter specializing in political accountability, criminal justice reform, and institutional transparency. Based in Toronto, she has reshaped national conversations through data-driven exposés like the "Unfounded" series, which reformed how Canadian police handle sexual assault cases.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Political Scandals: Chronicled Rob Ford’s mayoral crisis, blending breaking news with long-form analysis.
  • Police Accountability: Audited 23,000 sexual assault cases to reveal systemic dismissal trends.
  • Trade Policy: Analyzed corporate adaptations to tariff changes, bridging law and economics.

Pitching Tips

  • Lead with Data: She prioritizes stories supported by FOIA documents or original datasets.
  • Highlight Institutional Impact: Proposals should clarify how the issue affects public trust or policy.

Awards

  • Kobo Emerging Writer Prize (2015)
  • Michener Award (2014)
  • Canadian Hillman Prize (2017)

Sports journalist at Toronto Star, Canada
Canada
Sports
Media
Crime

Rosie DiManno is a veteran columnist for Canada’s Toronto Star, renowned for her incisive commentary on sports, crime, and media dynamics. With a career spanning 50+ years, she combines investigative rigor with literary flair, particularly when covering:

  • **Professional sports institutions:** From MLB labor disputes to NHL cultural impacts
  • **Legal system critiques:** Focusing on procedural equity in high-stakes cases

Avoid pitches involving amateur athletics or technology-driven media trends. Her 2012 Olympic coverage honor and multiple authored sports biographies underscore her authority in these domains.

"DiManno’s writing remains essential reading for understanding Canada’s cultural psyche through the lens of its most contentious issues." — Canadian Journalism Project

Law journalist at Lexpert Magazine, Canada
Canada
Law
Media
Entertainment

Sandra Rubin is a Canadian journalist and screenwriter renowned for her investigative legal reporting and cross-cultural storytelling. Currently contributing to Lexpert Magazine, she specializes in law, media, and entertainment, with a focus on international legal disputes, corporate governance, and film industry dynamics. Her work avoids hyper-local legal topics and celebrity-driven entertainment news, instead emphasizing systemic issues and underrepresented voices.

Pitching Tips

  • Global Legal Challenges: Pitch stories on transnational crime or regulatory gaps, akin to her Mogilevitch exposé. Rubin seeks narratives that reveal how legal systems succeed or fail on the world stage.
  • Female-Centric Entertainment: Highlight projects that explore gender dynamics in film, such as emerging female directors or intersectional storytelling in global cinema.

Awards Spotlight

  • Eli Lilly Award (1993): Awarded for innovative research on immigration’s psychological impacts, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to journalism.

Politics journalist at Maclean's, Canada
Canada
Politics
Culture
Media

As Editor-in-Chief of Maclean’s, Sarah Fulford stewards Canada’s most authoritative news magazine while pioneering hybrid digital/print storytelling. Her work sits at the intersection of policy, culture, and media innovation.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Canadian Identity in Global Context: Explores how cultural artifacts and economic policies shape national sovereignty
  • Gender & Work Infrastructure: Analyzes care systems and labor trends through data-rich personal narratives
  • Media Evolution: Documents journalism’s adaptation to AI and platform capitalism while preserving investigative rigor

Pitching Insights

  • Do: Connect micro-trends to macro-economic shifts (e.g., “TikTok cottagecore videos driving rural real estate demand”)
  • Don’t: Pitch celebrity profiles without policy angles
  • Unique Angle: She prioritizes stories that have elicited at least one freedom-of-information request during research

Career Highlights

  • Increased Toronto Life’s digital revenue by 150% through paywall strategy innovation (2014–2019)
  • Spearheaded Maclean’s’ first NFT journalism project tracking carbon credit markets (2023)
  • Advisory board member for Canada’s Digital Media Research Consortium

Military journalist at Esprit de Corps, Canada
Canada
Military
Media
History

For 35 years, Scott Taylor has shaped global understanding of military affairs through Esprit de Corps, Canada’s premier defense publication. His work combines frontline experience (Canadian Armed Forces, 1982–1986) with investigative rigor, specializing in:

  • War zone reporting: 20+ conflict assignments from Bosnia to Baghdad
  • Veteran advocacy: Groundbreaking PTSD and transition coverage
  • Procurement analysis: $600M+ in defense spending scrutinized

Pitching Priorities

  • Do: Submit data-rich proposals on Arctic security, veteran mental health, or historical battle re-examinations
  • Don’t: Pitch celebrity soldier profiles or speculative defense tech without verified prototypes
“The best stories live where policy meets humanity.” – Taylor to cadets at Royal Military College, 2023

Recognition includes the Quill Award (1996), Telly Award (2011), and NATO’s Excellence in Journalism commendation (2019). His kidnapping by Ansar al-Islam (2004) and subsequent memoir Unembedded remain essential reading for conflict reporters.

Tech journalist at BetaKit, Canada
Canada
Tech
Startup
Media

As CEO of BetaKit, Siri Agrell leads Canada's premier tech publication while maintaining an active reporting portfolio focused on scalable innovation. Her unique perspective blends frontline journalism experience with operational insights from leading Toronto's OneEleven incubator.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Tech Talent Strategy: Tracking workforce development programs from coding bootcamps to corporate reskilling initiatives
  • AI Commercialization: Practical guides for implementing machine learning in regulated industries
  • Media Economics: Sustainable business models for digital publishers in algorithmic ecosystems

Pitching Preferences

  • Seeking: Data-rich case studies with clear national implications
  • Avoid: Consumer gadget reviews or cryptocurrency projects
"The best pitches demonstrate how technology intersects with community building – that's where real innovation happens."

Culture journalist at Friday Things, Canada
Canada
Culture
Entertainment
Media

As founder of the newsletter Friday Things, Kong decodes entertainment trends through lenses of race, gender, and class. Her work for Chatelaine, Maclean's, and LiisBeth establishes her as Canada's foremost analyst of culture's political undercurrents.

Pitching Priorities

  • Cultural Criticism: Seek stories connecting entertainment to societal shifts, like her examination of TikTok strikes through labor movement history
  • Media Innovation: Pitches about creator economies or digital storytelling formats, reflecting her Fifth Wave Initiative background

Achievements

  • Founded Friday Things (2020), reaching 50k+ subscribers in 3 years
  • 2022 Canadian Online Publishing Award finalist for Best Newsletter
  • Mentored 100+ journalists through Centennial College's program

Politics journalist at Toronto Star, Canada
Canada
Politics
Media
Books

For three decades, Delacourt has decoded federal politics through multiple lenses:

  • Current Focus: National columnist for Toronto Star and iPolitics, analyzing electoral strategy and democratic engagement
  • Core Beats:
    • Party leadership dynamics
    • Voter sentiment analysis
    • Media-politics interface

Pitching Priorities

Seek Her Expertise On:

  • Campaign technology adoption rates
  • Historical voting pattern comparisons
  • Cross-party collaboration mechanisms

Avoid Pitches About:

  • Municipal governance structures
  • International trade agreements
  • Single-issue advocacy campaigns

Career Highlights: 4X book author, 2011 Charles Lynch Award recipient, and architect of Canada’s political marketing analysis framework. Her Carleton University courses shape next-generation policy reporters through hands-on constituency mapping exercises.

Tech journalist at CBC News, Canada
Canada
Tech
Business
Media

Takara Small stands at the forefront of Canadian tech journalism, currently shaping discourse as CBC’s national technology columnist and a BBC World News contributor. Her award-winning work—spanning cybersecurity exposés, entrepreneurial ecosystem analyses, and digital equity investigations—has redefined how media intersects with innovation.

Pitching Priorities

  • Tech for Social Good: Highlight initiatives like VentureKids Canada, where she documented coding programs reducing Wikipedia’s diversity gap.
  • Underreported Cyber Threats: Her QuadrigaCX podcast series exemplifies interest in financial tech crimes impacting marginalized communities.

Awards Snapshot

  • Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women (2023)
  • U.S. Young Leaders of the Americas Fellow (2021)
  • SANS Cybersecurity Certification holder

Small avoids consumer tech reviews but welcomes data-rich stories on AI ethics, rural broadband, and global tech diplomacy. Her 2025 3 Magazine profile on AI pioneer Sinead Bovell remains essential reading for understanding her editorial vision.

Law journalist at Lexpert, Canada
Canada
Law
Media
Business

We profile this architect of Canada’s legal media landscape through three lenses:

  • Beat Focus: Law firm strategy, legislative reform impacts, legal technology adoption
  • Platform Authority: Oversees 78% of Canada’s English-language legal trade publications
  • Unique Perspective: Combines JD credentials with 20+ years media experience

Pitching Priorities

  • Preferred Angles:
    • Regional market expansions with national implications
    • Bar association policy changes affecting practice management
  • Avoid:
    • Individual case analyses without industry-wide implications
    • Speculative legal tech claims lacking implementation data

Recent achievements include developing Lexpert’s AI-driven content personalization system and chairing the Canadian Legal Innovation Summit’s programming committee.

Agriculture journalist at Ontario Farmer, Canada
Canada
Agriculture
Politics
Media

For 45 years, Tom Van Dusen shaped how Canadians understand the intersection of policy and agriculture. His current work in Ontario Farmer continues his legacy of connecting parliamentary decisions to rural livelihoods.

Pitching Priorities

  • Policy Impact Analysis: Prefers data-driven stories showing legislation’s real-world effects on farming communities
  • Historical Parallels: Welcomes pitches comparing current events to 20th-century political milestones
“Good journalism fertilizes democracy like manure fertilizes crops—it’s messy but necessary.”

Philanthropy journalist at Calgary Herald, Canada
Canada
Philanthropy
Media
Entertainment

Val Fortney is a senior columnist at the Calgary Herald, where she has shaped conversations around social equity and cultural identity since 1998. Her reporting combines investigative rigor with compassionate storytelling, particularly in these areas:

  • Philanthropy Systems: Examines both systemic causes of poverty and effectiveness of aid programs
  • Media Evolution: Documents how local institutions adapt to demographic and technological change
  • Community Resilience: Highlights grassroots responses to environmental and economic challenges

Pitching Insights

Successful pitches to Fortney often include:

  • Hyperlocal case studies with national relevance
  • Historical context for contemporary issues
  • Data visualization opportunities (heat maps, timeline graphics)

Notable recent work includes her 2024 investigation into food insecurity’s impact on working families and a 2025 retrospective on Calgary’s cultural journalism landscape. She maintains a particular interest in solutions-focused reporting that bridges individual experiences with policy analysis.

Contacting Media Journalists in Canada

To succeed in your PR campaign, it's crucial to go beyond a media list. While PressContact provides valuable resources, executing an effective pitch to Media journalists in Canada requires careful planning. Discover how to make the most impact by reading this section!

When and why to contact Media journalists

When reaching out to Media journalists in Canada, a well-formulated strategy is key. With the high volume of pitches they receive, it's crucial to have a unique story that is focused on Media or a related subject. Avoid getting mired in technical minutiae, and instead, expand your scope to include the larger implications of your story within the Media industry. By studying your target journalists and crafting your pitch to align with their specific interests, you increase the likelihood of sparking their interest. Remember, your goal should be to present a story that not only informs but also contributes to the broader Media discourse.

How to contact Media Journalists

For anyone looking to connect with leading Media journalists in Canada, signing up here will provide you with a current, accurate list of contact details for the year 2025. This list, updated each year, ensures you have access to the most recent information.

How to write a Media press release

Pitching Etiquette to Media journalists

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Our experience with PressContact has been exceptional.
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Fully recommend PressContact! We got two meticulously curated lists for our upcoming launch, saving us countless hours of manual research. Great investment for any agency.

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I was pleasantly surprised by the efficiency and affordability of PressContact. Their responsiveness and attention to detail are unmatched.
Investing in their media lists has been a wise decision for our PR team and for our company.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the right media list for my business?

Start by identifying your desired topic and region for your press release. Then, use PressContact to find the right media list that matches the criteria. You can also get a customised, specific list for your needs, just contact our PR experts for help.

How do I contact PressContact?

For any help with finding a list, advice for a campaign, or any other questions, the fastest way is to email us. Write to PressContact's support team at support@presscontact.co.

Our support team replies within a few hours, and at maximum, 24-36 hours. You can fill the contact form on our website too!

How are the lists always up-to-date and relevant?

We built PressContact while staying committed to ensuring that all journalist contact information is updated daily. Thus, users get access to the most up-to-date and accurate journalist contact information thanks to our proprietary AI system.

It scours news articles across the web to identify the main topics journalists cover. Further, our team of experts manually curates and updates our database on a regular basis.

How do I access my purchases?

Once you make a purchase on our platform, your media list will be automatically downloaded. Need to download it again? You can access it from your dashboard! Still have concerns with your purchase? Contact our support team, and rest assured, they'll reply ASAP.

What is a media list?

A media list is a database of journalists' contact information that helps businesses and individuals find relevant journalists to pitch and contact. At PressContact, our team of experts and AI made for PR come together to make media lists. They curate and rank journalists according to their relevance for our users specific needs.

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