Our Newsletter
THE CONNECTOR
WINTER EDITION 2026
QCNA NEWS
A Mighty Responsibility
As we step into a new year, we do so as independent news people who know, intimately, both the value and the vulnerability of our work. Community-rooted reporting has never been more important. Democracy is increasingly strained, and our job of informing our communities as witness and connector feels heavier than ever. We carry that responsibility with commitment and care, even when it leaves us tired, stretched, and questioning how long we can keep pushing forward. Yet it is precisely because this work is hard—and because it matters—that we should pause to acknowledge what we have accomplished. As we start a new year, let’s take a breath to recognize our resilience, celebrate our impact, and allow ourselves a moment of pride in our good, necessary work.
NEWS FOR MEMBERS
Sector Consultations Coming Up - Register Now
The CJC is undertaking broad consultations with media organizations, news producers, and journalists across the country to gather feedback on their policies and processes. The purpose of these consultations is to provide a structured opportunity for you to share your input so they can continue to improve their administration of Google’s compensation to news businesses under the Online News Act. The goal is to make the experience of engaging with the CJC-CCJ’s programs and processes as efficient, transparent, and positive as possible.
Publishers can register here for the virtual session that is happening on February 17th. For more information, contact the CJC at community@cjc-ccj.ca.
Changing Narratives Fund
The Changing Narratives Fund (CNF) is a distinct stream under the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) that seeks to cultivate a media landscape that authentically reflects the diversity of Canada’s peoples, experiences, and cultures.
The CNF-LJI stream will provide funding to eligible Canadian media organizations to hire Indigenous Peoples, Black, racialized, ethno-religious minorities, persons with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities as journalists to produce civic journalism for underserved communities.
These organizations will offer mentoring, training, and professional development activities to increase their participation in the media sector.
This program is administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada: https://crfc-fcrc.ca/
The Quebec Labour Tax Credit for News Media
QCNA encourages member publications to look into obtaining the QC labour tax credit for full-time staff who spend a minimum of 75% of their working hours towards the support of content. A credit of 35% is available for eligible employees.
Civic Literacy Project: Content for Publishing
The Sherbrooke Record is sharing an exciting new project with member papers. The impetus behind the project is to provide well-researched information to readers on topics of civic literacy ranging from renters rights to municipal governance. These articles can be re-published in member newspapers by contacting The Record.
ON THE CALENDAR
QCNA's Better Newspapers Competition is Open!
QCNA members, take note: the deadline for QCNA’s BNC is February 2nd. If you are encountering any problems with the portal or have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help you get your entries in! outreach@qcna.qc.ca
AND… Keep in mind that there are other contests open right now as well, the National Newspaper Awards (deadline Jan. 15), the Canadian Association of Journalists Awards (deadline Jan. 13), and The Michener Awards (Feb. 20.)
GET INVOLVED
Renewed: Committees!
QCNA’s committees have been very active in 2024-2025 and the work directly impacts and enriches the QCNA membership experience. We encourage your participation! For more on committee descriptions and time commitments, please email administration@qcna.qc.ca.
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
FROM TALQ
After a thorough rebranding exercise earlier this year, TALQ (formerly QCGN) is marking 30 years of advocacy and connection within Quebec’s English-speaking communities! Stay tuned as we help them shine a light on 30 incredible individuals whose passion and energy keep our communities strong and alive.
You might not know this, but TALQ also offers memberships to individuals. Click here for more information on what privileges are offered.
FROM QUEBEC PRESS COUNCIL
The Quebec Press Council now offers an Associate Member category intended for community media, student media, small media outlets (fewer than two full-time paid journalists) and emerging media (blogs, journalist websites, podcasts, etc.), as well as the associations that represent them. QCNA has itself just become an associate member. To apply, please email: pierre-paul.noreau@
Stay tuned for training from the Quebec Press Council on journalism ethics and more.
Ministry Confirms Subsidy for Community Newspapers
The Ministry of Culture and Communications delivered letters to printed newspapers in the past weeks. The Ministry will exempt smaller publications that reported less than 15 tonnes of newsprint production in 2024. But the large provincial dailies will not be exempt. So although this provides QCNA members some solace, the trend continues to penalize the printed format. If your publication has not received a letter from the Ministry, we remind you that all printed newspapers must report tonnage at the RecycleMedia website.
QCNA Member Slack Chat!
Coming out of the in-person strategic planning last year, members asked for an informal chat space to share ideas. Please contact QCNA to be invited and join the conversations!
