Taxpayers funded equivalent of 23 National Observer jobs
Records reported by Blacklock’s show the Vancouver-based climate outlet received more than $1.3 million in government grants while its CEO sat on the judging panel that reviewed applications.
Taxpayers funded the equivalent of 23 positions at the National Observer, a Vancouver-based climate change newspaper that describes itself as independent.
The outlet received $1,377,773 in direct wage subsidies over five years through the federal Local Journalism Initiative, according to records reported by Blacklock’s Reporter. The program covers 100 per cent of selected employee salaries up to $60,000 annually.
Records also show the National Observer received $643,743 from the Canadian Periodical Fund and $435,400 through sole-sourced federal news clipping contracts.
Holly Doan@hollyanndoan
Vancouver climate news site National Observer @NatObserver is heaviest user of federal media grants covering equivalent of 23 employees. @CdnHeritage figures:
• $1,377,773 wage subsidies
• $643,743 Periodical Fund
• $ 435,400 sole-sourced fed subscriptions
11:17 AM · Apr 28, 2026 · 60.4K Views
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