Hoekstra Wins Michener Award

By 250 News

Although the Award is actually  presented to the news organization,  the  work  which  sparked the victory was done by  Prince George  reporter Gordon Hoekstra.

Hoestra's series "Dying for Work"   focused on the deaths in the logging industry.   The series is thought to have  brought about change as the  provincial Government  hired a forestry coroner and  promised to spend more than $20 million on upgrading forestry roads.

At a ceremony last night  at Rideau Hall,  Prince George Citizen Editor, Dave Paulson accepted the award on behalf of the newspaper, from Her Excellency, The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada.

The Governor General also presented Citations of Merit to seven news organizations: 

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation: A fifth estate report entitled “Luck of the Draw” and follow-up coverage exposed a high level of insider wins by clerks and other ticket sellers in lotteries operated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. This resulted in an investigation by Ontario’s Ombudsman and changes in operating procedures at several provincial lottery corporations.

The Globe and Mail undertook an in-depth examination of the impact of cancer on the lives of Canadians. It revealed that many Canadians are experiencing delays in treatment and running up large debts to pay for basic treatments. While the series was running, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced a national cancer strategy. After the series, Ontario announced that the province would spend more than $190 million on colorectal cancer screening.

The Hamilton Spectator, the Toronto Star, and The Record (Kitchener-Waterloo) entered a joint project. Their series called “Collision Course” undertook a comprehensive examination of aviation incidents and accident data. A four-year struggle secured permanent public access to the Canadian database on aviation safety incidents. As a result of their efforts, journalists and others working in the public interest in the future will have access to this important information.

The Nunatsiaq News, a small weekly newspaper based in Iqaluit, reports on one-third of Canada’s land mass. During 2006, the News continued its innovative coverage of the impact of climate change on the Canadian Arctic. There was interest around the world in reports about hungry, hostile polar bears and the use of air conditioners in the Arctic. In December, the Nunavut government held its first conference on adaptation to changes in the environment.

La Presse: A series of investigative stories revealed how the SAQ, Quebec’s liquor board, had artificially raised the price of wine and spirits to take advantage of the falling value of the Euro. As a result of the series, prices were reduced, the chairman and two SAQ vice presidents resigned and the auditor general of Quebec launched an investigation that confirmed the findings of the newspaper.  

The Michener Awards are  named for  former Governor General  Roland Michener  and  recognizes excellence in public service journalism.

Congratulations Gordon and to the rest of the team  at  the Citizen!

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