Star wins top journalism award for Greenbelt probe

The Toronto Star and the Narwhal have been awarded the top journalism prize in Canada for their investigation into the Ontario government’s now-reversed decision to open up the Greenbelt to development.

- MARO CHOWN OVED

Emma McIntosh, left, a reporter with the Narwhal, and Noor Javed, a reporter with the Toronto Star, react after they are announced as the winners of the 2023 Michener Award on Friday at Rideau Hall.

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon presided over a ceremony at Rideau Hall on Friday naming the Greenbelt investigation as the recipient of the 2023 Michener Award for Public Service Journalism.

“This is an incredible honour and a testament to the lasting impact of dogged, focused reporting that holds power to account,” said Anne Marie Owens, the Star’s editor-inchief.

The winning work was a collaborative effort involving Star reporters Noor Javed, Robert Benzie, Brendan Kennedy and Sheila Wang, as well as freelancer Charlie Pinkerton and Narwhal reporter Emma McIntosh. The 18-month project was overseen by investigations editor David Bruser and deputy investigations editor Jesse McLean.