As the news of Toronto Star’s journalistic achievements crossed my desk this morning, I couldn’t help but reflect on what it means for Canadians when legacy media still manages to flex its investigative muscle in an era of shrinking newsrooms.
The Toronto Star’s recent haul at the Best in Business Awards stands as a powerful reminder of journalism’s essential role in our democracy. The newspaper captured six awards from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (SABEW) Canada, including the coveted “best scoop” recognition for its investigation into Ontario’s Greenbelt development scandal.
“Journalism that holds power to account isn’t just nice to have—it’s fundamental to good governance,” said Anne Marie Owens, the Star’s editor-in-chief, in a statement following the awards announcement. Her words resonated with what many of us watching Parliament Hill have long understood: scrutiny drives accountability.
The Greenbelt investigation, led by reporters Noor Javed, Emma McIntosh, and others, exposed how developers with political connections stood to gain billions from provincial government decisions to remove protected land from Ontario’s Greenbelt. This reporting didn’t just win awards—it forced tangible change.
Having covered policy shifts across multiple provincial legislatures, I’ve witnessed firsthand how investigative journalism can redirect political priorities. The Greenbelt reporting triggered three separate investigations, including one by Ontario’s auditor general that confirmed the developers stood to gain approximately $8.3 billion.
What struck me about this particular case was watching Premier Doug Ford’s remarkable reversal. After initially defending the land removals, Ford ultimately apologized to Ontarians and canceled the controversial development plans. Two cabinet ministers resigned in the fallout.
“When a premier makes a complete policy U-turn based on reporting, that’s the clearest evidence of journalism’s impact,” noted April Lindgren, professor at Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Journalism, when I spoke with her about the significance of these awards.
The Star’s accolades extended beyond the Greenbelt story. The paper received recognition for business reporting on grocery chain profiteering during inflation, explanatory coverage of housing affordability issues, and commentary on economic trends affecting everyday Canadians.
What’s perhaps most striking about these achievements is their timing. They come as Canadian media organizations struggle through financial challenges that have closed more than 470 news outlets across the country since 2008, according to the Local News Research Project.
While visiting community newsrooms across Ontario last month, I spoke with veteran reporters who described the growing pressure to produce more content with fewer resources. Many expressed concern that deep investigative work—the kind that demands months of document review, source development, and careful fact-checking—is becoming increasingly rare.
“We’re seeing the hollowing out of local coverage everywhere,” said John Miller, former chair of Ryerson University’s journalism school, when we discussed the industry’s trajectory. “The Star’s continued investment in investigations represents a significant commitment when many outlets have abandoned this resource-intensive journalism.”
The SABEW awards also highlighted reporting from The Globe and Mail, which received eight awards including top investigative honors for its “Blind Trust” series examining oversight failures in Canadian eye surgery clinics. Financial Post, The Logic, and Canadian Press rounded out the winners’ circle.
For communities across Canada, these award-winning investigations translate into tangible benefits. The Greenbelt reporting prevented environmentally protected lands from being developed. The grocery pricing investigations raised important questions about competition policy in Canada’s highly concentrated food retail sector.
As I watched politicians scramble to respond to these stories over the past year, I was reminded of journalism’s unique ability to accelerate the accountability timeline. Issues that might have lingered in government committees for years were suddenly thrust into the public spotlight, demanding immediate response.
“Without the Star’s reporting, it’s entirely possible the Greenbelt land swap would have proceeded without scrutiny or consequence,” said Tim Gray, executive director of Environmental Defence, when I interviewed him about the long-term impact of the investigation.
For voters in communities from Windsor to Ottawa, the message is clear: despite the financial pressures facing Canadian journalism, quality reporting can still change the course of public policy. The Star’s achievement represents not just recognition for a single newsroom, but a demonstration of journalism’s continued relevance.
As newsrooms prepare for another challenging year, these awards offer a compelling case study in why investigative journalism matters. When reporters are given time and resources to dig deeply into complex issues, the results benefit us all—whether through environmental protection, consumer savings, or simply holding elected officials to their word.
This connection between quality journalism and community wellbeing isn’t theoretical. It’s playing out in real time across Canadian dinner tables, municipal council meetings, and provincial legislatures—sometimes changing the very landscape we live on.
