In April 2025, Glacier Media closed three of its community news outlets in the middle of a federal election — arguably the most important campaign in our lifetime.
The closures of the Tri-City News, New Westminster Record and Burnaby NOW during such a crucial time meant the reporters couldn’t report, candidates couldn’t advertise and readers had a hard time finding credible, accurate and in-depth information about who to vote for.
The impact of these closures is felt elsewhere in our hometown: With PACs and arts groups wondering how to get their messages out about fundraisers, teachers searching for ways to promote their school musicals and teenage athletes rising to great heights and in need of press, our community feels disconnected.
There isn’t one place to turn to anymore to find out what’s happening at city hall, in our schools and on our fields and rinks.
But soon there will be.
As the longest-serving reporter at the Tri-City News, I’m now joining forces with my fellow veteran reporters at the New Westminster Record and Burnaby NOW, as well as the News, to build the first non-profit news co-operative in Western Canada.
Like similar models operated by CHEK-TV in Victoria and Le Soleil in Quebec, we are taking over the markets left behind by our employer to flood our communities with news, arts, sports, columns and the many voices from you, our readers.
We pledge to be independent, impartial and accountable by delivering news — in printed and digital versions — that’s meaningful, that matters and that rebuilds connection.
This is how you can be a part of this venture:
- If you’re a local business, you can commit to support us by taking out advertising
- If you’re a community member, you can donate to the Save Our Local News drive
- If you volunteer, you can sign up to help spread the word
And you can also register to become a future member or subscriber.
Together, we can put community back into community news.
Janis Cleugh
