The OCNA is proud to recognize the outstanding work produced each week by our member newspapers.
Finalists in each category are listed in alphabetical order below. First, second and third place winners will be announced during a virtual presentation being held Friday, April 29th.
Thank you to everyone who submitted entries and congratulations to the finalists.
General Excellence Awards
GE01 - Class 1: Circ. 1,999 & under
Haliburton County Echo
The Herald Serving Thamesville, Dresden and Bothwell
The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton
Honourable Mention: Deep River North Renfrew Times
GE02&03 - Class 2 & 3: Circ. 2,000 - 6,499
Eganville Leader
Niagara This Week, Niagara-on-the-Lake Advance
Vankleek Hill Review
GE04 - Class 4: Circ. 6,500 - 12,499
Haliburton, The Highlander
Niagara This Week, Fort Erie Post
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report
Honourable Mention: Voice of Pelham
GE05 - Class 5: Circ. 12,500 - 22,499
Ancaster News
Elmira-Woolwich Observer
Orangeville Citizen
GE06 - Class 6: Circ. 22,500 - 44,999
Fergus Wellington Advertiser
Niagara This Week, Niagara Falls
Sarnia Journal
Honourable Mention: Grimsby Lincoln News
GE07 - Class 7: Circ. 45,000 & over
Barrie Advance
Hamilton Mountain News
Niagara This Week, St. Catharines
Honourable Mention: Burlington Post
GE08 - Class 8: College &University
Durham College - The Chronicle
Fanshawe College - Interrobang
Humber College - Et Cetera
Honourable Mention: Loyalist College - Pioneer
College/University Awards
CU01 - Student Feature Writing
Algonquin College - Madalyn Howitt
Durham College - Allaya Sue
Durham College - Shaun McLeod
CU02 - Student News Writing
Sponsored by: Ontario Journalism Educators Association
Centennial College - Alexander Varoutas
Centennial College - Arsheen Shamaila
Humber College - Tyler Cheese
Honourable Mention: Algonquin College - Tamara Condie
CU03 - Student Photography
Algonquin College - Tamara Condie
Loyalist College - Alex Lupul
Loyalist College - Cassie Williamson
CU04 - Best College/University Newspaper Website
Algonquin College - algonquintimes.com
Centennial College - torontoobserver.ca
Fanshawe College - theinterrobang.ca
Honourable Mention: Durham College - chronicle.durhamcollege.ca
Premier Awards
PC01 - Arts & Entertainment
Sponsored by: Midwestern Newspapers
Manotick Messenger - Skyler Fraser & Jeff Morris
Perth Courier - Laurie Weir
Walkerton Herald Times - Colin Burrowes
Honourable Mention: Fort Frances Times - Ken Kellar
Honourable Mention: Guelph Mercury Tribune - Jonathan Duncan
PC02 - Best Business and Finance Story
Bracebridge Examiner - Mary Beth Hartill
Brampton Guardian - Graeme Frisque
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Jordan Snobelen
Honourable Mention: Arnprior Chronicle-Guide - Derek Dunn
Honourable Mention: Stoney Creek News - Richard Leitner
PC03 - Best Editorial, circ. over 10,000
Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Steve Kannon
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Chris Daponte
North Wellington Community News - Pat Raftis
Honourable Mention: Brampton Guardian - Roger Belgrave
PC04 - Best Editorial, circ. under 9,999
Burks Falls Almaguin News - Pamela Steel
Eganville Leader
Minden Times - Chad Ingram
Honourable Mention: Smiths Falls Record News - Hollie Pratt-Campbell
PC05 - Education Writing
Sponsored by: Ontario Journalism Educators Association
Ajax Pickering News Advertiser - Jillian Follert
Milton Canadian Champion - Bambang Sadewo
Perth Courier - Desmond Devoy
Honourable Mention: Barrhaven Independent - Jeff Morris
Honourable Mention: Newmarket Era/Aurora Banner - Lisa Queen
PC06 - Environment Ontario
Manitoulin Expositor - Mike Erskine
Parry Sound North Star - Stephannie Johnson
Waterdown Flamborough Review - Mac Christie
Honourable Mention: Kincardine Independent - Tammy Schneider
PC07 - Feature Writing, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: O’Donnell, Robertson & Partners
Cambridge Times - Bill Doucet
Guelph Mercury Tribune - Jessica Lovell
Oshawa This Week - Jillian Follert
Honourable Mention: Northumberland News - Natalie Hamilton
PC08 - Feature Writing, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: O’Donnell, Robertson & Partners
Haliburton County Echo - Sue Tiffin
Haliburton, The Highlander - Sam Gillett & Lyelca Rodrigues
Voice of Pelham - Dave Burket & Helen Tran
PC09 - Health & Wellness
Cambridge Times - Bill Doucet
Glanbrook Gazette - Tamara Botting
Haliburton County Echo - Sue Tiffin
PC10 - Heritage
Sponsored by: Fort Frances Times
Eganville Leader - Johanna Zomers
Haliburton County Echo - Sue Tiffin
Voice of Pelham - Dave Burket & Don Rickers
PC11 - Best Investigative News Story
Cambridge Times - Bill Doucet
Perth Courier - Laurie Weir
Smiths Falls Record News - Evelyn Harford
PC12 - Best News Story, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: Hydro One
Niagara This Week, Welland - Nick Fearns
Sarnia Journal - Cathy Dobson
Wasaga/Stayner Sun - Ian Adams
PC13 - Best News Story, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Hydro One
Manitoulin Expositor - Warren Schlote
Niagara-on-the-Lake Local
Voice of Pelham - Don Ricker & Dave Burket
Honourable Mention: Burks Falls Almaguin News
Honourable Mention: East Gwillimbury Express - Jeremy Grimaldi
PC14 - Best Rural Story, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Haldimand County, The Sachem - Tara Lindemann
Milton Canadian Champion - Herb Garbutt
Waterdown Flamborough Review - Julia Lovett-Squires
PC15 - Best Rural Story, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Aylmer Express - Jodi Clayton & Veronica Reiner
Barrhaven Independent - Jeff Morris
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Don Reynolds & Jill Troyer
Honourable Mention: Gravenhurst Banner - Sarah Law
Honourable Mention: Smiths Falls Record News - Evelyn Harford
Honourable Mention: Voice of Pelham - Michael Ruehle
PC16 - Best Feature/News Series, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: Hydro One
Burlington Post - Herb Garbutt, Bryan Myers, Bambang Sadewo
Newmarket Era/Aurora Banner - Lisa Queen
Smiths Falls Record News - Laurie Weir, Evelyn Harford, Tara Gesner, Jonathan Mulvihill
PC17 - Best Feature/News Series, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Hydro One
Barrhaven Independent - Jeff Morris
Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Katrina Boguski
Listowel Banner - Colin Burrowes
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley, Elizabeth Masson, Evan Saunders
PC18 - Sport & Recreation Story
Guelph Mercury Tribune - Jessica Lovell
Listowel Banner - Dan McNee
The Haldimand Press - Mike Renzella
PC19 - Best Headline Writing
Listowel Banner
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley& Kevin MacLean
Walkerton Herald Times
Honourable Mention: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker - Steven Larocque
PC20 - Best Covid-19 Coverage
Aylmer Express - Brett Hueston & Rob Perry
Barrie Advance - Janis Ramsay & Chris Simon
The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright & Alex Kurial
Honourable Mention: Carleton Place/Almonte Canadian Gazette - Ashley Kulp
PC21 - Diversity Coverage
The Haldimand Press - Mike Renzella
Waterdown Flamborough Review - Mac Christie & Julia Lovett-Squires
Wingham Advance Times - Cory Bilyea
Honourable Mention: Caledon Enterprise - Steve Cornwell
Honourable Mention: Manotick Messenger - Jeff Morris
Honourable Mention: Smiths Falls Record News - Evelyn Harford
PC22 - Best Police/Court Story or Series
Gravenhurst Banner - Kristyn Anthony
Manitoulin Expositor - Lori Thompson
Perth Courier - Desmond Devoy
Honourable Mention: Renfrew Mercury - Jonathan Mulvihill
Honourable Mention: Voice of Pelham - Dave Burke & Don Rickers
PC23 - Best Guest/Freelance Column
Deep River North Renfrew Times - Jenna Walsh
Manitoulin Expositor - Bonnie Kogos
Niagara This Week, Fort Erie Post - Wendy Sturgeon
Honourable Mention: Dundas Star News - Shane Pennells
PC24 - Humour Columnist of the Year
Haliburton County Echo - Steve Galea
Niagara This Week, The Leader - James Culic
Vankleek Hill Review - Mike Gasher
PC25 - Columnist of the Year
Cambridge Times - Loraine Centeno
The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
Uxbridge Cosmos - Ted Barris
Honourable Mention: Mississauga News - John Stewart
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake Local - Jane Andres
PC26 - Reporter of the Year - Stephen Shaw Award
Sponsored by: Ontario Power Generation
Markham Economist & Sun - Jeremy Grimaldi
Richmond Hill/Thornhill Liberal - Kim Zarzour
The Haldimand Press - Mike Renzella
PC27 - Best Feature Photo, circ. over 10,000
Hamilton Mountain News - Mark Newman
Orangeville Banner - Alexandra Heck
Sarnia Journal - Ronny D'Haene
Honourable Mention: Cornwall Seaway News - Marc Benoit
PC28 - Best Feature Photo, circ. under 9,999
Minden Times - Darren Lum
The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright, Alex Kurial, Cathy Dobson
Wilmot Post - Lisa Hagen
PC29 - Best Photo Layout
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley Jill Troyer
Sarnia Journal - Ronny D'Haene & George Mathewson
Wingham Advance Times - Cory Bilyea
PC30 - Best Sports Photo
Deep River North Renfrew Times - Vance Gutzman
New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker - Steven Larocque
Wilmot Post - Lisa Hagen
PC31 - Best Spot News Photo
Sponsored by: Midwestern Newspapers
Aylmer Express - Rob Perry
New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker - Sue Nielsen
Voice of Pelham - Don Rickers
Honourable Mention: Cambridge Times - Bill Doucet
PC32 - Best News Photo
Eganville Leader - Gerald Tracey
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
Wingham Advance Times - Cory Bilyea
Honourable Mention: Voice of Pelham - Don Rickers
PC33 - Most Creative Grip and Grin Photo
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Jessica Maxwell
Oakville Beaver - Graham Paine
Perth Courier - Desmond Devoy
Honourable Mention: Milton Canadian Champion - Graham Paine
PC34 - Photographer of the Year
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
Oakville Beaver - Graham Paine
Richmond Hill/Thornhill Liberal - Steve Somerville
PC35 - Cartoonist of the Year
Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Scott Arnold
Minden Times - Kim Wark
Stoney Creek News - Mike Vukovich
PC36 - Community Service
Eganville Leader - Cycling for Hospice
Manitoulin Expositor - Out of the Shadows: Manitoulin's Opioid Crisis
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Pandemic Heroes
PC37 - Best Vertical Product
Haliburton, The Highlander - Here With Colin and Justin
Listowel Independent Plus - Country Life Spring 2021
Blyth/Brussels Citizen - Stops Along the Way - Summer 2021
Honourable Mention: Haliburton County Echo - Welcome to Haliburton County 2021
PC38 - Best Front Page, circ. over 10,000
Ancaster News
Dundas Star News
Fergus Wellington Advertiser
PC39 - Best Front Page, circ. under 9,999
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report
Parry Sound North Star
Voice of Pelham
PC40 - Best Sports Section
Eganville Leader
Haliburton, The Highlander
New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker
PC41 - Special Section, circ. over 10,000
Cornwall Seaway News - Christmas At Home 2020
Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Observer 25th Anniversary
Sarnia Journal - Sarnia Remembers: A special tribute to our local heroes
Honourable Mention: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Remembrance Day
PC42 - Special Section, circ. under 9,999
Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Christmas Wishes 2020
Fort Frances Times - 2021 Agricultural Edition
Manitoulin Expositor - Out of the shadows: Manitoulin's Opioid Crisis
PC43 - Best Feature/Unit Pages
Aylmer Express - This is Aylmer, Our Hometown
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Pandemic Heroes
The Haldimand Press - Nurses Week
PC44 - Best Creative Ad
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Jacqueline Furfaro
Fort Frances Times - Susan Taylor
Listowel Banner
Honourable Mention: North Wellington Community News - Alicia Roza
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report
PC45 - In House Promotion
Fort Frances Times - Leanne Donaldson
Manitoulin Expositor - Kendra Edwards
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley & Kevin MacLean
PC46 - Local Retail Layout
Sponsored by: Metro Creative Graphics
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Jacqueline Furfaro
Listowel Banner
Manitoulin Expositor - Kendra Edwards
PC47 - Original Ad Idea
Ayr News - Helen and Mark Hall
Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Pat Merlihan
North Wellington Community News - Alicia Roza
Honourable Mention: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Jacqueline Furfaro
PC48 - Best Use of Colour
Deep River North Renfrew Times - Jane Barkley
Haliburton, The Highlander - Lyelca Rodrigues
Kincardine Independent
PC49 - Best Community Website/WebPortal, circ. over 10,000
Cornwall Seaway News - cornwallseawaynews.com
Elmira-Woolwich Observer - ObserverXtra.com
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - wellingtonadvertiser.com
PC50 - Best Community Website/WebPortal, circ. under 9,999
Deep River North Renfrew Times - northrenfrewtimes.ca
Listowel Banner - midwesternnewspapers.com
Manitoulin Expositor - manitoulin.com
Honourable Mention: The Haldimand Press - haldimandpress.com
Honourable Mention: Wilmot Post - wilmotpost.ca
Honourable Mention: Blyth/Brussels Citizen - huroncitizen.ca
PC51 - ONLINE Special Initiative
Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Pat Merlihan
Manitoulin Expositor - Giovanni Capriotti, David Patterson, Warren Schlote
Muskokaregion.com - Pamela Steel
Honourable Mention: Scarborough Mirror - Dan Pearce, Mike Adler, Tamara Shephard, Andrew Palamarchuk, David Nickle, Joanna Lavoie
Honourable Mention: Parry Sound North Star
PC52 - ONLINE Breaking News Coverage
Barrie Advance
Burks Falls Almaguin News - Sarah Cooke
Burlington Post - Graham Paine, Louie Rosella, Bambang Sadewo
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake The Lake Report - Richard Harley
PC53 - Multimedia Online/Best Online Experience for a Story
Georgina Advocate - Amanda Persico
Milton Canadian Champion - Bambang Sadewo
Mississauga News - James Chaarani & Steve Cornwell
Honourable Mention: Brampton Guardian - Clarrie Feinstein
PC54 - Breaking News Video
Cornwall Seaway News - Nick Seebruch
Oakville Beaver - David Lea
Peterborough This Week - Todd Vandonk