The Northern View is pleased to announced that some of the best articles in the country in 2013 appeared within these pages.
The Canadian Community Newspaper Association (CCNA), an organization that represents publications of all sizes from coast-to-coast, earlier this month announced the winners of its National Newspaper Awards and both Quinn Bender and Martina Perry were recognized for their outstanding writing over the past year.
China Syndrome: Prince Rupert's Island of Dreams and Nightmare was chosen as the Best Feature in the country. Complete with photos capturing the state of the derelict pulp mill, Bender's piece looked at the financial challenges facing the City of Prince Rupert after taking ownership of the site from Sun Wave Fores Products. Almost a year after it was published, and five years removed from the city ownership of Watson Island, the story remains relevant to the taxpayers of Prince Rupert as the city now faces a legal challenge from would-be buyers Watson Island Development Corporation.
Also bringing an national award to the North Coast is Martina Perry, who placed third in the Best Environmental Writing category. B.C.'s new Coal Harbour, which provided an in-depth examination of coal dumping allegations at Ridley Terminals, was recognized as being one of the best in the country by a panel of industry experts for not only the quality for writing but for the impact it had. Following the publication of the story, both Environment Canada and the Prince Rupert Port Authority launched investigations into activities at the terminal while sources on-site said work began on addressing concerns with the settling pond. The article is also a finalist for the B.C./Yukon Newspaper Association's Ma Murray Award for Environmental Writing, the winner of which will be announced later this month during a gala in Richmond.
The Northern View is extremely proud of the accomplishments of both Martina Perry and Quinn Bender in bringing this recognition to the North Coast. Winning a national award is always something to be celebrated.
This type of award-winning writing is something the Northern View will continue to bring to the region week in and week out.