Greenbelt coverage nominated for Michener Award

Star and Narwhal are co-finalists for top journalism prize

The Toronto Star and the Narwhal’s collaborative reporting on Ontario’s Greenbelt scandal has been nominated for the Michener Award, which recognizes the country’s best public-service journalism.

Finalists for the award were announced Tuesday.

“We are thrilled to be nominated for a Michener Award, particularly because it recognizes journalism that delivers a significant public benefit, which is what drives our journalism,” said Toronto Star Editor Anne Marie Owens.

“Our Greenbelt coverage reflects key values of our Star journalism: holding power to account, doggedly sustaining coverage of issues of public interest, and relying on collaborative efforts — both inside our newsroom and with other outlets — to deliver greater impact.”

The Star and the Narwhal published their first investigation into Premier Doug Ford’s decision to open up the Greenbelt for development in November 2022, showing how well-connected developers stood to benefit. The reporting was criticized by the government, which initially promised to move ahead with its plans despite public backlash.

Throughout 2023, the Star and Narwhal — both independently and together — continued to report on the story, revealing how developers had attended Ford’s daughter’s wedding; exposing a “gold rush” on Greenbelt land; and unmasking the so-called Mr. X, the well-connected consultant promised a $1-million bonus to get land out of the Greenbelt.

Following damning reports by the Auditor General and Integrity Commissioner, as well as the resignations of two cabinet ministers and two political staffers, Ford reversed his government’s plans to open up the Greenbelt and apologized to Ontarians. The RCMP continues to investigate.

Other nominees for this year’s Michener Award include The Canadian Press for a months-long investigation into allegations of sexual assault within the Canadian Security Intelligence Service; CBC/ Radio-Canada for an investigation into billionaire Robert Miller and accusations he had paid underage girls for sex; The Globe and Mail for exposing how the Montreal fire department had placed a moratorium on building inspections prior to a deadly blaze; the Montreal Gazette for an investigation that exposed major problems in one hospital’s emergency room; and Radio-Canada for exposing serious fraud at a Quebec security company that had received hundreds of millions of dollars in government contracts.

The Michener Award will be handed out by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon on June 14 at Rideau Hall.

We are thrilled to be nominated for a Michener Award, particularly because it recognizes journalism that delivers a significant public benefit.

ANNE MARIE OWENS TORONTO STAR