QCNA is proud to honour member newspapers through the Better Newspapers Competition (BNC) every year. We thank everyone who submitted their outstanding work for the contest once again.
We are excited by the overwhelming response and the dedication demonstrated year over year by each of our member newspapers. This year, we received a total of 545 entries, and our categories were evaluated by a panel of 27 judges, nearly half of whom were new to our competition.
The winners will be announced at our highly anticipated QCNA BNC Awards Gala the evening of June 13th, 2025, set against the stunning backdrop of the historic Fairmont Le Château Montebello, promising an unforgettable evening celebrating journalistic excellence in Quebec. Information on how to register will be made available very soon.
A special thank you goes out to Amanda Hansen with help from Danel Valazquez who managed the contest this year, and each and every one of our 27 excellent judges.
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 availablehere.
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.
