New Report Highlights Critical State of Local Journalism Across Canada
Researchers find 475 local news outlets have closed since 2008, leaving vast ‘news deserts’ across the country.
A major new report from the Local News Research Project has found that 475 local news outlets across Canada have closed since 2008, creating expanding ‘news deserts’ that leave millions of Canadians without access to reliable local journalism.
The report, titled “The State of Local News in Canada 2026,” documents a continued decline in local news coverage despite recent federal and provincial funding programs aimed at supporting the sector.
By the Numbers
Key findings include:
- 475 local news outlets have closed since 2008, including 325 newspapers, 82 online-only publications, and 68 broadcast operations
- Over 14,000 journalism jobs have been lost nationwide
- An estimated 7.2 million Canadians now live in communities with no local news coverage
- Rural and northern communities are disproportionately affected
Impact on Democracy
Researchers found a direct correlation between the loss of local news and declining civic engagement. Communities that lost their local news outlet saw voter turnout in municipal elections drop by an average of 8.4 percentage points.
“Local journalism is the foundation of democratic accountability,” said report author Dr. April Lindgren of Toronto Metropolitan University. “When newsrooms close, there’s no one watching city hall, no one covering the school board, no one asking the questions that communities need answered.”
Alberta’s Landscape
In Alberta, 34 local news outlets have closed since 2008, with the majority being weekly and bi-weekly community newspapers in rural areas. However, the report also notes the emergence of several digital-first news operations, including community-focused online publications that are attempting to fill the gap.
“The outlets that are surviving and thriving tend to be deeply embedded in their communities and have found sustainable digital revenue models,” Lindgren said.
Policy Recommendations
The report calls for expanded federal support for local journalism through the Canadian Journalism Collective, increased funding for Indigenous news organizations, and new tax incentives for local news subscriptions. It also recommends that the CRTC strengthen local news requirements for broadcast licensees.
The federal government has signaled openness to additional journalism support measures, though specifics remain under discussion.
