2023 BNC Winners Announced
The OCNA is proud to recognize the outstanding work produced each week by our member newspapers and showcase it to readers and advertisers. Thank you to everyone who submitted entries for the 2023 BNC Awards and congratulations to the winners in each category.
Thank you to our Gala Sponsor, Ontario Power Generation, for their continued support of Ontario’s community newspapers!
This list is interactive! To view the entry submitted for each winner, click on the newspaper name or edition.
General Excellence Awards
GE01 - Class 1: Circ. 1,999 & under
1st place: Listowel Banner March 2023 August 2023
2nd place: Blyth/Brussels Citizen March 2023 August 2023
3rd place: Haliburton County Echo March 2023 August 2023
Honourable Mention: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker March 2023 August 2023
GE02&03 - Class 2 & 3: Circ. 2,000 - 6,499
1st place: Eganville Leader March 2023 August 2023
2nd place: Fort Frances Times March 2023 August 2023
3rd place: Stratford Times March 2023 August 2023
Honourable Mention: Creemore Echo March 2023 August 2023
GE04 - Class 4: Circ. 6,500 - 12,499
1st place: Haliburton, The Highlander March 2023 August 2023
2nd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report March 2023 August 2023
3rd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake Local March 2023 August 2023
GE05,06&07 - Class 5, 6&7: Circ. 12,500 & over
1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser March 2023 August 2023
2nd place: Kitchissippi Times March 2023 August 2023
3rd place: Listowel Independent Plus March 2023 August 2023
GE08 - Class 8: College &University
1st place: Humber College - Et Cetera Fall Semester Winter Semester
2nd place: University of Waterloo - Imprint Fall Semester Winter Semester
3rd place: Fanshawe College - Interrobang Fall Semester Winter Semester
College/University Awards
CU01 - Student Feature Writing
1st place: Humber College - Emma Posca
2nd place: Algonquin College - Arty Sarkisian
3rd place: Durham College - Navraj Sandhar
Honourable Mention: Algonquin College - Kerry Slack
CU02 - Student News Writing
Sponsored by: Ontario Journalism Educators Association
1st place: Centennial College - Maria Palacios
2nd place: University of Waterloo - Nadia Khan
3rd place: Centennial College - Sin Wan Chim
Honourable Mention: Loyalist College - Victoria Caminha
Honourable Mention: University of Waterloo - Abhiraj Lamba
CU03 - Student Photography
1st place: Algonquin College - Alex Lambert
2nd place: Algonquin College - Arty Sarkisian
3rd place: Loyalist College - Heather Waldron
CU04 - Best College/University Newspaper Website
1st place: Algonquin College - algonquintimes.com
2nd place: Centennial College - torontoobserver.ca
3rd place: Durham College - chronicle.durhamcollege.ca
Honourable Mention: Humber College - humbernews.ca
Premier Awards
PC01 - Arts & Entertainment
Sponsored by: Midwestern Newspapers
1st place: Haliburton, The Highlander
2nd place: Kitchissippi Times - Zenith Wolfe
3rd place: Creemore Echo - Trina Berlo
Honourable Mention: Picton Gazette - Chris Fanning
PC02 - Best Business and Finance Story
1st place: Aylmer Express - Joe Konecny
2nd place: Blyth/Brussels Citizen - Shawn Loughlin
3rd place: Fort Frances Times - Elisa Nguyen
PC03 - Best Editorial, circ. over 10,000
1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Patrick Raftis
2nd place: Picton Gazette - Karen Valihora
3rd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Kevin MacLean
PC04 - Best Editorial, circ. under 9,999
1st place: Manitoulin Expositor - Michael Erskine
2nd place: Bancroft This Week - Nate Smelle
3rd place: Minden Times - Emily Stonehouse
Honourable Mention: Manotick Messenger - Jeff Morris
PC05 - Best Editorial Cartoon
1st place: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker - Dave Dickerson
2nd place: Lanark Era - Steve Myers
3rd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Alperen Albayrak
PC06 - Best Editorial Page/Section
1st place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley & Brian Marshall
2nd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - David Adsett & Kelly Waterhouse
3rd place: Haliburton, The Highlander
PC07 - Education Writing
Sponsored by: Ontario Journalism Educators Association
1st place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Evan Loree
2nd place: Eganville Leader
3rd place: Orono Weekly Times - Frances Mallon
Honourable Mention: Barrhaven Independent - Jeff Morris
PC08 - Environment Ontario
1st place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Lisa Gervais & Tania Moher
2nd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Robin George
3rd place: Bancroft This Week - Nate Smelle
PC09 - Feature Writing, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: ORP Law
1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Jordan Snobelen
2nd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Evan Loree
3rd place: The Auroran - Brock Weir
PC10 - Feature Writing, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: ORP Law
1st place: Manitoulin Expositor - Warren Schlote
2nd place: Manotick Messenger - Jeff Morris
3rd place: Barrhaven Independent - Jeff Morris
PC11 - Health & Wellness
1st place: The Haldimand Press - Mike Renzella
2nd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Julia Sacco
3rd place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Lisa Gervais
PC12 - Heritage
Sponsored by: Fort Frances Times
1st place: Listowel Banner - Wendy Van Leeuwen
2nd place: Eganville Leader - Debbi Christinck
3rd place: Blyth/Brussels Citizen - Karen Webster
Honourable Mention: Minden Times – Emily Stonehouse
PC13 - Best Investigative News Story
1st place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Somer Slobodian
2nd place: Ayr News - Irene Schmidt-Adeney
3rd place: The Haldimand Press - Mike Renzella
Honourable Mention: Barrhaven Independent - Jeff Morris
PC14 - Best News Story, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: Hydro One
1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Patrick Raftis
2nd place: Orangeville Citizen - James Matthews
3rd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
PC15 - Best News Story, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Hydro One
1st place: Niagara-on-the-Lake Local
2nd place: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
3rd place: Listowel Banner - Dan McNee
Honourable Mention: Eganville Leader - Terry Fleurie
PC17 - Best Rural Story
1st place: The Haldimand Press - Mike Renzella
2nd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Somer Slobodian
3rd place: Blyth/Brussels Citizen - Shawn Loughlin
PC18 - Best Feature/News Series, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: Hydro One
1st place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Somer Slobodian
2nd place: Orangeville Citizen - Sam Odrowski
Article #1 Article #2 Article #3 Article #4
3rd place: Picton Gazette - Karen Valihora
PC19 - Best Feature/News Series, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Hydro One
1st place: Fort Frances Times - Allan Bradbury
2nd place: Barrhaven Independent - Jeff Morris
3rd place: Uxbridge Cosmos - Conrad Boyce
PC20 - Sport & Recreation Story
1st place: Listowel Banner - Dan McNee
2nd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Somer Slobodian
3rd place: Wingham Advance Times - Mike Wilson
PC21 - Best Headline Writing
1st place: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
2nd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Kevin MacLean & Richard Harley
3rd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Joanne Shuttleworth
PC22 - Diversity Coverage
1st place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Evan Loree, Kevin MacLean & Somer Slobodian
2nd place: Kitchissippi Times - Gabrielle Huston, Charlie Senack & Bradley Turcotte
Article #1 Article #2 Article #3 Article #4
3rd place: Listowel Banner - Melissa Dunphy & Dan McNee
Honourable Mention: Deep River North Renfrew Times - Terry Myers
PC23 - Best Police/Court Story
1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Jordan Snobelen
2nd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Julia Sacco
3rd place: Fort Frances Times - Allan Bradbury
PC24 - Best Police/Court Series
1st place: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
2nd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Jordan Snobelen
Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
3rd place: Eganville Leader
PC25 - Best Guest/Freelance Column
1st place: Listowel Banner - Hanife Ajjo
2nd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Frank Hayes
3rd place: Deep River North Renfrew Times - Jenna Walsh
PC26 - Humour Columnist of the Year
1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Kelly Waterhouse
2nd place: Orono Weekly Times - Ted Oster
3rd place: Deep River North Renfrew Times - Vance Gutzman
PC27 - Columnist of the Year
1st place: Listowel Banner - Stewart Skinner
2nd place: Haliburton County Echo - Steve Galea
3rd place: Eganville Leader - Johanna Zomers
Honourable Mention: Minden Times - Jim Poling Sr.
Honourable Mention: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton- Heather Wright
PC28 - Reporter of the Year - Stephen Shaw Award
Sponsored by: Ontario Power Generation
1st place: The Haldimand Press - Mike Renzella
Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
2nd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake Local - Mike Balsom
3rd place: Kitchissippi Times - Charlie Senack
Article #1 Article #2 Article #3
PC29 - Best Feature Photo, circ. over 10,000
1st place: Cornwall Seaway News - Jason Setnyk
2nd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Frank Hayes
3rd place: Kitchissippi Times - Ellen Bond
Honourable Mention: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Robin George
PC30 - Best Feature Photo, circ. under 9,999
1st place: Minden Times - Adam Frisk
2nd place: Wingham Advance Times – Dan McNee
3rd place: Listowel Banner - Dan McNee
Honourable Mention: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
PC31 - Best Photo Layout
1st place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley, Evan Loree & Somer Slobodian
2nd place: The Herald Serving Thamesville, Dresden & Bothwell- Heather Wright
3rd place: Kitchissippi Times - Ellen Bond, Céline Paquette & Charlie Senack
Honourable Mention: Cornwall Seaway News
PC32 - Best Sports Photo
1st place: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker - Sue Nielsen
2nd place: Deep River North Renfrew Times - Vance Gutzman
3rd place: Picton Gazette - Jason Parks
Honourable Mention: Fort Frances Times - Daniel Adam
PC33 - Best Spot News Photo
Sponsored by: Midwestern Newspapers
1st place: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker - Sue Nielsen
2nd place: Aylmer Express - Rob Perry
3rd place: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
PC34 - Best News Photo
1st place: Listowel Banner - Dan McNee
2nd place: Eganville Leader - Mike Yeas
3rd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake Local
PC35 - Most Creative Grip and Grin Photo
1st place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Dave Van de Laar
2nd place: Cornwall Seaway News - Krystine Therriault
3rd place: Kitchissippi Times - Zenith Wolfe
PC36 - Photographer of the Year
1st place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Dave Van de Laar
2nd place: Wingham Advance Times - Cory Bilyea
3rd place: Kitchissippi Times - Ellen Bond
Honourable Mention: Walkerton Herald Times - Mike Wilson
PC37 - Community Service
1st place: Deep River North Renfrew Times - Municipal election
2nd place: Aylmer Express - 3 Port Tour
3rd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Off To The Races - Special Edition: Election 2022
PC38 - Best Vertical Product
1st place: Cornwall Seaway News - Cornwall Living
2nd place: Fort Frances Times - Tour De Fort 30th Anniversary
3rd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - NOTL: A Guide for Distinguished Explorers: Summer 2023
PC39 - Best Front Page, circ. over 10,000
1st place: Cornwall Seaway News
2nd place: Listowel Independent Plus
3rd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser
Honourable Mention: Picton Gazette
PC40 - Best Front Page, circ. under 9,999
1st place: Aylmer Express
2nd place: Fort Frances Times
3rd place: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker
Honourable Mention: Listowel Banner
PC41 - Best Sports Section
1st place: Eganville Leader
2nd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake Local
3rd place: St. Mary's Independent
PC42 - Special Section
1st place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Off To The Races - Special Edition: Election 2022
2nd place: Fort Frances Times - Health & Wellness
3rd place: The Haldimand Press - Farms: Harvest 2023
PC43 - Best Feature/Unit Pages
1st place: Listowel Independent Plus - Huron County Plowing Match
2nd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Equine
3rd place: North Wellington Community News - Family Day
PC44 - Best Creative Ad
1st place: Eganville Leader - Judy Hanke
2nd place: Deep River North Renfrew Times - Jane Barkley
3rd place: North Wellington Community News - Alicia Roza
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
PC45 - In House Promotion
1st place: Cornwall Seaway News
2nd place: The Haldimand Press
3rd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Alicia Roza
PC46 - Local Retail Layout
Sponsored by: Metro Creative Graphics
1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Steve Gilholm
2nd place: Cornwall Seaway News
3rd place: Manitoulin Expositor
Honourable Mention: North Wellington Community News - Alicia Roza
PC47 - Original Ad Idea
1st place: Port Perry, The Standard - Colleen Green
2nd place: Fort Frances Times - Austin Brown, Leanne Donaldson & Lincoln Dunn
3rd place: Listowel Banner - Janine Martin
PC48 - Best Use of Colour
1st place: Kincardine Independent - Becky Grebenjak
2nd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Steve Gilholm
3rd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
Honourable Mention: North Wellington Community News - Alicia Roza
PC49 - Best Community Website/WebPortal, circ. over 10,000
1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - wellingtonadvertiser.com
2nd place: Cornwall Seaway News - cornwallseawaynews.com
3rd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - niagaranow.com
PC50 - Best Community Website/WebPortal, circ. under 9,999
1st place: Fort Frances Times - fftimes.com
2nd place: The Haldimand Press - haldimandpress.com
3rd place: Ayr News - ayrnews.ca
PC51 - Best Online Experience
1st place: Haliburton, The Highlander - County Election - Podcast: What Are We Doing?
2nd place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Dorset: Forest Firefighting Mini Documentary
3rd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - NOTL International Women's Day
Visit www.ocna.org/BNCBooklet2023 to see the BNC Results book or view the entire virtual presentation below.