About the Local Journalism Initiative Program
In some parts of Canada, residents have significant gaps in civic journalism about community issues and civic institutions and events that affect them and their day-to-day lives. The Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) will provide funds for selected community news outlets to hire a qualified journalist to produce articles while increasing coverage in civic matters and issues of public interest in underserved communities.
Along with 6 other administrative organizations, QCNA is administering the Local Journalism Initiative program that will offer resources to English-speaking communities in Quebec that are lacking access to quality news content. READ MORE
While the Local Journalism Initiative is open to all community news outlets, QCNA is focusing on the structural challenges facing the production and delivery of community news in remote or non-serviced areas of Quebec.
QCNA as an Administrative Organization
At the request of Canadian Heritage, QCNA has submitted all the documents required for the renewal of the Local Journalism Initiative program for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
The total contribution agreement funding available for 2024-2025 to support the hiring of LJI journalists (employees or freelancers) to serve in areas of English-language civic news poverty within the official language minority community newspaper sector will be $900,000 – the same amount funded in 2023-2024. QCNA LJI recipients who were funded in 2023-2024 are invited to use the new online simplified application form. New applicants to QCNA’s LJI program will first need to complete the online simplified form and subsequently a long-form application that will be brought before an independent panel for review.
QCNA Local Journalism Initiative Call for Applications and Guidelines 2024-2025
Deadline for Application is May 10, 2024 - CLOSED
2024-2025 Simplified Online Application Process
The QCNA has adapted a new simplified online application form which will help facilitate a quicker submission process.
This form should take less than 30 minutes to complete. You will not need to submit any other documents at this stage.
Returning LJI Recipients do not need to provide any new documentation for renewal for 2024-2025, unless requested by the QCNA.
NEW LJI Applicants will be contacted with further application instructions from the LJI Coordinator after we receive the simplified application form.
The application period is now CLOSED for 2024-2025. The 2024-2025 recipients have been announced! See list below.
LJI Application Process & Assessment 2024-2025
The link to the simplified application form can be found here: SIMPLIFIED ONLINE APPLICATION FORM
The link to 2024-2025 LJI Program Guidelines can be found here: LJI PROGRAM GUIDELINES
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the LJI coordinator:
AMANDA HANSEN
QCNA Local Journalism Initiative Coordinator
lji@qcna.qc.ca or administration@qcna.qc.ca
OFFICE PHONE:
819-893-6330
Monday – Friday: 7:30am – 3:30pm
Complaints Policy: Download HERE
Host Organizations for the Local Journalism Initiative program (2024-2025):
Aylmer Bulletin, Community Newspaper in Gatineau, QC
Gatineau Bulletin, Community Newspaper in Gatineau, QC
Cult MTL, Community Newspaper in Montreal, QC
Northshore News, Community Newspaper in Laval, QC
Parc-Extension News, Community Newspaper in Laval, QC
The Laval News, Community Newspaper in Laval, QC
The Equity, Community Newspaper in Shawville, QC
Quebec Chronicles Telegraph, Community Newspaper in Quebec City, QC
The Gaspé Spec, Community Newspaper in New Carlisle, QC
The Record, Community Newspaper in Sherbrooke, QC
The Suburban, Community Newspaper in St-Laurent, QC
The Low Down to Hull and Back News, Community Newspaper in Wakefield, QC
Brome County News, Community Newspaper in the Eastern Townships, QC
Quebec Farmers Advocate, Community Newspaper located in Longueuil, QC
The 1019 Report, Community Newspaper serving Vaudreuil-Soulanges, QC
The 1510 West, Community Newspaper serving West Island, QC
The Gleaner, Community Newspaper serving the Chateauguay Valley, QC
West Quebec Post, Community Newspaper serving Gatineau, QC
The Link, Community Newspaper serving Montreal, QC
Pontiac Journal, Community Newspaper serving Pontiac, QC
Townships Weekend, Community Newspaper serving Sherbrooke, QC
Montreal Community Contact, Community Newspaper serving Montreal, QC
