BNC Awards

Photo Credits: Andrae Lewis, The Link

Pictured: Rosie Awori, Montreal Community Contact & David Venn, Nunatsiaq News

QCNA is proud to honour our member newspapers once again this year through the Better Newspaper Competition, recognizing excellence in news coverage, including reporting on education, agriculture, environment, health, and civic affairs.

An in-person Awards Gala highlighting this years winners was held on June 28th at The Holiday Inn & Suites Centre-Ville Ouest in Montreal, Quebec by over 100 participants. The prestigious Awards Gala was succeeded by a two day strategic planning session, organized and developed through QCNA and facilitated by strategic consultant Frances Ravensbergen, inviting 28 delegates from official language member publications across Quebec to join us in shaping a new vision, mission and focus for the organization.

We were thrilled to see the number of entries into the contest rise this year to over 600 submissions, which evidenced a continued passion for journalism, reflected in the work of every participant organization and individual in this profession. Over 100 participants were in attendance at the awards gala.

Photo Credits: Andrae Lewis, The Link

QCNA Board Members (left to right): Cynthia Dow, Charles Dickson, Nikki Mantell, Brenda O’Farrell and Lily Ryan. Missing from photo: Michael Sochaczevski and Sharon McCully

Among 40 awards presented that evening, some highlights included:

• The Low Down to Hull & Back News, who took home 11 awards (many 1st place!) and was named Best Overall Newspaper for 2023-2024.
• The Eastern Door newspaper (located in Kahnawake) had 13 big wins, including young journalist Eve Cable, who was presented with the honorable Paul Dumont-Frenette Outstanding Journalism Award for reporter of the year.
• Two new QCNA awards were given out that evening, inlcuding the Best Contributed Photo Award (won by Anthony Qrunnut, a Grade 9 student at Igloolik’s Sivuniit Middle School) and Best Nature/ Environment Photo (won by Sarah Rennie for The Gleaner).
• The first Egbert Gaye Dare to Make a Difference Award in tribute of founding owner/editor of newspaper Montreal Community Contact, was presented by Rosie Awori on behalf of the publication.

A full list of this year’s winner is available here.

The QCNA would like to thank the following sponsors who helped ensure the success of this years event:

The Department of Canadian Heritage
MP Anthony Housefather
MP Anna Gainey
MP Marc Miller
MP Marie-Claude Bibeau
The Honourable Greg Fergus, P.C., M.P.
Elizabeth Prass Deputy of the National Assembly of Quebec

And many thanks to businesses who provided services or donations:

The Holiday Inn & Suites Centre-Ville Montreal & Encore
Sabrina’s Linen Rentals
Michèle Desormeaux – the supplier of the trees
The Royal Canadian Mint
Via Rail Canada
NAV Canada
Moulin Wakefield Mill Inn & Spa
Hebdo Litho

And lastly, to the volunteers: 

AV Tech support provided by Tom Hansen and event volunteer extrodinaire Skye Metcalfe.