The Canadian Journalism Foundation, Incorporated

The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) is a non-profit organization established in 1990, dedicated to fostering excellence in Canadian journalism. Its core mission involves supporting and recognizing both emerging and experienced journalists and their organizations, while also enhancing the public's understanding of fact-based journalism. The foundation is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The CJF offers a range of programs and services, including prestigious annual awards such as the CJF Awards, the CJF Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism, and the Lifetime Achievement Award. It also provides fellowships, hosts J-Talks (a public speakers' series facilitating dialogue on media issues), and manages journalism websites like J-Source.ca and ProjetJ.ca. Additionally, the foundation develops news literacy campaigns, such as NewsWise and Doubt It?, and offers training initiatives like the CJF NextGen Creator-Journalists Training Program.

In recent news, the CJF continues to be active in shaping the future of journalism. In October 2025, it launched the CJF Hinton Award for Excellence in AI Safety Reporting, recognizing critical journalism on artificial intelligence implications. The foundation also introduced the CJF NextGen Creator-Journalists Training Program in September 2025, supported by the Google News Initiative, to help emerging Canadian content creators build independent digital news organizations. Leadership updates in September 2025 saw Jeff Elgie and Angela Pacienza appointed as co-chairs of the Board, with Natalie Turvey serving as President and Executive Director. The CJF also recently honored Robert Fife with the Lifetime Achievement Award in March 2026 and awarded the CJF-Edward Burtynsky Award for Climate Photojournalism to Todd Korol in April 2026.

Latest updates

Cuddy Performance Highlights Journalism Foundation's Broad Corporate Support

Event summary

  • The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) Awards will be held June 10, 2026, at Toronto's Fairmont Royal York.
  • Canadian singer-songwriter Jim Cuddy will perform at the sold-out event.
  • Susanne Craig and Robert Fife will receive awards recognizing their contributions to journalism.
  • The event is supported by a wide range of corporate sponsors, including CIBC, Google, Rogers, and major Canadian banks and retailers.

The big picture

The CJF Awards serve as a visible indicator of the ongoing intersection of journalism and corporate Canada. The extensive sponsorship list underscores the financial pressures facing Canadian media organizations and their increasing dependence on external funding. The event's focus on both established and emerging talent suggests a broader effort to navigate the challenges of a changing media ecosystem, including the rise of AI and the need for specialized reporting.

What we're watching

Sponsorship Dynamics
The breadth of corporate sponsorship suggests a significant reliance on external funding for the CJF, raising questions about potential influence on journalistic independence.
Talent Retention
The recognition of Fife, a veteran political reporter, highlights the challenge of retaining experienced journalists in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Content Evolution
The inclusion of awards for AI safety journalism signals a shift in focus towards emerging technological and ethical concerns within the industry.

Wildfire Photography Award Highlights Climate Risk Exposure in Prairie Canada

Event summary

  • Photojournalist Todd Korol won the CJF-Edward Burtynsky Award for Climate Photojournalism for his work documenting Jasper wildfires.
  • The award, established in 2022 with a $5,000 prize, recognizes impactful climate photography.
  • Korol's photography frequently focuses on the Canadian Prairies, highlighting the intersection of rural life, energy sector expansion, and climate change.
  • The CJF Awards ceremony will be held on June 10, 2026, at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto.

The big picture

The award highlights the growing importance of visual documentation in communicating the tangible impacts of climate change, particularly in regions heavily reliant on resource extraction. Korol’s work underscores the vulnerability of Prairie Canada to increasingly severe weather events and the potential for significant economic disruption. The CJF’s recognition of this work signals a broader trend toward incorporating climate risk into journalistic narratives and public discourse.

What we're watching

Risk Exposure
The increased frequency and intensity of wildfires in Prairie Canada, as documented by Korol, will likely drive greater scrutiny of infrastructure and operational resilience for businesses in the region.
Media Narrative
The CJF award elevates the role of visual storytelling in shaping public perception of climate change impacts, potentially influencing policy and investment decisions.
Prairie Landscape
How Korol’s ongoing documentation of the Prairies will continue to reveal the long-term ecological and economic consequences of climate change and resource extraction.

Climate Solutions Reporting Award Highlights Canadian Media's Focus on Adaptation

Event summary

  • The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) announced five finalists for its annual Climate Solutions Reporting Award on April 21, 2026.
  • The award, sponsored by Intact Financial Corporation, recognizes journalists covering climate change solutions and carries a $10,000 prize.
  • Finalists' reporting spans diverse topics including Spain's green transition, Ontario's wildfire crisis, Arctic sea ice loss, and community wildfire preparedness.
  • The winner will be announced at the CJF annual awards ceremony on June 10, 2026.

The big picture

The CJF Award highlights a growing recognition of the critical role journalism plays in informing public understanding and driving action on climate change. The award's focus on 'solutions' suggests a move beyond simply documenting the problem towards exploring practical adaptation strategies. Intact Financial's sponsorship underscores the financial sector's increasing exposure to climate-related risks and its commitment to building resilience, a trend likely to accelerate as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe.

What we're watching

Media Focus
The increasing prominence of climate solutions reporting suggests a shift in Canadian media priorities, potentially impacting advertising revenue and audience engagement.
Corporate Alignment
Intact Financial's sponsorship and 'Keep It Intact' initiative signals a growing alignment between financial institutions and climate adaptation strategies, which could influence investment decisions.
Regional Impacts
The focus on specific regions like Saguenay and Cambridge Bay indicates that climate change impacts and adaptation efforts will increasingly be localized, requiring tailored reporting and policy responses.

Canadian Journalism Foundation Highlights Gender Inequality Reporting

Event summary

  • The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) announced the finalists for the 2026 Landsberg Award, recognizing excellence in reporting on women's equality issues.
  • Five journalists were shortlisted, with reporting spanning topics including NDAs in the classical music world, the experiences of Black Canadian women, and intimate partner violence in rural communities.
  • The award, sponsored by the Canadian Women's Foundation, carries a $5,000 prize and will be awarded on June 10, 2026.
  • Finalists include Robyn Doolittle (The Globe and Mail), Shellene Drakes-Tull (Toronto Star & The Globe and Mail), Rima Elkouri (La Presse), Emma Jarratt (Investigative Journalism Bureau), and Rianna Lim (Canadian Press).

The big picture

The Landsberg Award highlights a growing emphasis on gender equality and social justice within Canadian media. The diverse range of reporting styles and subject matter underscores the complexity of these issues and the need for continued investigative work. The award's prominence and sponsorship suggest increasing institutional support for journalism focused on these critical topics, though funding for rural support services remains a key vulnerability.

What we're watching

Legal Scrutiny
The focus on NDAs in the VSO case may intensify legal and regulatory scrutiny of non-disclosure agreements used to settle sexual misconduct claims, potentially impacting similar institutions.
Intersectionality
The recognition of Black Canadian women's experiences underscores the need for media outlets to prioritize intersectional reporting and address systemic failures impacting marginalized communities.
Rural Resources
The spotlight on intimate partner violence in rural areas will likely increase pressure on governments and organizations to expand resources and support services for vulnerable women in underserved regions.

Canadian Journalism Awards Highlight Investigative Reporting, Regional Media

Event summary

  • The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) announced finalists for the 2026 Dr. Eric Jackman Awards for Excellence in Journalism on April 17, 2026.
  • Awards recognize news organizations in 'large' (50+ employees) and 'small' categories, highlighting impactful journalism.
  • Finalists include APTN Investigates, The Canadian Press, CBC News – The Fifth Estate, Le Devoir, W5/CTV News, The Green Line, The Investigative Journalism Foundation/The Narwhal, The Sprawl, Taproot Publishing Inc, and The Trillium.

The big picture

The CJF awards underscore the evolving Canadian media landscape, where investigative reporting and regional coverage remain vital, even as digital platforms and smaller outlets challenge established players. The awards' emphasis on social impact and community engagement reflects a broader shift towards purpose-driven journalism, potentially driven by changing audience expectations and a desire to counter the effects of misinformation. The significant sponsorship underscores the ongoing need for external funding to support independent journalism in Canada.

What we're watching

Financial Sustainability
The continued reliance on corporate sponsorships, as evidenced by the extensive list of backers, suggests ongoing challenges in the financial sustainability of Canadian journalism.
Digital Disruption
The recognition of smaller, digitally-native outlets signals an acceleration in the shift away from traditional media models and a potential fragmentation of the news landscape.
Regulatory Scrutiny
The reporting on the BC Energy Regulator highlights a growing trend of investigative journalism focused on government oversight and potential regulatory failures, which could lead to increased scrutiny of Canadian institutions.

AI Safety Reporting Award Highlights Deepfake Abuse, Disinformation Risks

Event summary

  • The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) launched the inaugural CJF Hinton Award for Excellence in AI Safety Reporting in October 2025.
  • The award, named after Geoffrey Hinton, recognizes journalism critically examining AI safety implications and solutions.
  • Three finalists were shortlisted: TVO's The Thread (deepfakes), Indicator (AI 'nudifiers'), and Canada's National Observer (climate disinformation).
  • The award carries a $10,000 prize and will be announced on June 10, 2026.
  • The jury included experts from Newsroom Robots Labs, The Tarbell Centre for AI Journalism, Coefficient Giving, and Poseidon Research.

The big picture

The creation of this award signals a growing recognition of the societal risks posed by rapidly advancing AI technologies. The focus on investigative journalism highlights the need for independent oversight and accountability within the AI sector, particularly concerning the misuse of generative AI tools for malicious purposes. The award's partnership with the AI Safety Foundation underscores the increasing institutionalization of AI safety concerns.

What we're watching

Regulatory Response
The reporting's impact on Google and Meta's policies suggests increased regulatory scrutiny of AI-driven content generation and distribution is likely to accelerate.
Legal Frameworks
The identified legal gaps regarding non-consensual deepfakes will likely spur legislative efforts to address the harms caused by this technology, potentially impacting content creation and distribution platforms.
Public Perception
The award's focus on solutions-oriented reporting could shape public perception of AI, shifting the narrative from solely focusing on risks to embracing responsible development and deployment.

Canadian Journalism Foundation Awards Internship to Freelance Photojournalist

Event summary

  • Keito Newman, a freelance photojournalist based in Ottawa–Gatineau, has been awarded the 2026 Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award.
  • The award, a partnership between The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) and The Canadian Press (CP), includes a six-week paid internship at CP's Toronto headquarters.
  • The award is named in memory of late CP photographer Tom Hanson and aims to support early-career photojournalists.
  • The selection committee comprised a mix of industry professionals, including past award winners and representatives from CP and the CJF.

The big picture

The Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award highlights the ongoing struggle to support visual journalism in Canada, a sector facing declining revenues and a challenging talent landscape. The award's structure – a paid internship at The Canadian Press – represents a targeted effort to nurture emerging talent and ensure the continued production of high-quality photojournalism. The extensive sponsorship list underscores the perceived value of this initiative, but also points to the precarious financial situation of many media organizations.

What we're watching

Talent Pipeline
The CJF's investment in early-career photojournalists signals a potential effort to address skills gaps and ensure a pipeline of talent for Canadian news organizations, particularly as visual storytelling becomes increasingly critical.
CP's Role
Whether The Canadian Press can leverage this internship to cultivate future talent and retain skilled photographers remains to be seen, given ongoing challenges in the news industry.
Industry Support
The extensive list of sponsors suggests a broader industry recognition of the importance of photojournalism, but the sustainability of this level of support amid economic pressures warrants monitoring.

Fife's Lifetime Achievement Award Highlights Political Reporting's Impact

Event summary

  • Robert Fife, The Globe and Mail's Ottawa Bureau Chief, is receiving the Canadian Journalism Foundation's (CJF) Lifetime Achievement Award.
  • The award recognizes Fife's decades of political reporting, including breaking stories like the SNC-Lavalin affair (2019) and allegations of foreign interference in the 2021 federal election.
  • Fife's reporting has demonstrably influenced policy, leading to changes in Senate expense transparency and prompting a public inquiry into foreign interference.
  • The award ceremony will be held on June 10, 2026, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

The big picture

Robert Fife's career exemplifies the enduring importance of investigative political reporting, particularly in an era of heightened geopolitical tensions and declining trust in institutions. His work demonstrates the tangible impact that rigorous journalism can have on policy and governance, highlighting the critical role of a free press in a democratic society. The award also underscores the increasing challenges faced by journalists, who are often targets of political pressure and disinformation campaigns.

What we're watching

Political Scrutiny
Increased scrutiny of Canadian political institutions and government actions is likely to continue, potentially impacting policy decisions and regulatory oversight.
Media Influence
The recognition of Fife’s impact underscores the continued, and potentially growing, power of investigative journalism to shape public discourse and influence government behavior.
Journalist Safety
Given the commentary on journalism being 'under attack,' the CJF's recognition of Fife may signal a broader effort to support and protect journalists undertaking sensitive investigations.

Ex-Google News Chief to Address Media Trust Crisis in Canada

Event summary

  • The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) is hosting a 'J-Talks' event on March 5, 2026, in Toronto.
  • Richard Gingras, former Global Vice President of News at Google, will be the featured speaker alongside Angela Pacienza, Executive Editor of The Globe and Mail.
  • The event will focus on the impact of digital transformation on news, misinformation, and trust in institutions.
  • Tickets are priced at $20 (general admission) and $10 (community tickets), including refreshments.
  • The CJF's J-Talks program aims to facilitate dialogue about the role of media in Canadian society.

The big picture

The event highlights the ongoing crisis of trust in media institutions, exacerbated by the rise of digital platforms and misinformation. Gingras's involvement signals a growing recognition of the need for collaboration between technology and journalism to address these challenges. The CJF's role as a facilitator of dialogue positions it as a potentially influential voice in shaping the future of Canadian media, though its impact will depend on translating discussions into tangible solutions.

What we're watching

Platform Accountability
How Gingras's perspective from Google will shape the conversation around the responsibility of digital platforms in combating misinformation and fostering media trust remains to be seen.
Revenue Models
Whether the CJF can leverage this event to explore and promote sustainable revenue models for Canadian journalism in the face of declining traditional advertising revenue will be a key indicator of its influence.
Audience Engagement
The pace at which the CJF can translate insights from this discussion into actionable strategies for improving audience engagement and combating declining trust will determine the program's long-term impact.
CID: 3839