The votes are in, and a major Canadian newspaper association has named the St. Albert Gazette the number one paper in the nation in its circulation class.
Newspapers Canada, which counts among its members hundreds of community and daily newspapers across the country, recently held its annual “Canadian Community Newspapers Awards” competition. Members can submit photos, advertisements, stories, pages, sections and entire issues for judging against other newspapers in the same circulation category.
The St. Albert Gazette, the flagship newspaper of the Great West newspaper chain, headquartered in St. Albert, earned first place in Class 1017 – General Excellence, circulation 12,500 to 24,999, topping the second place Observer, Elmira-Woolwich, Ont. and the third place Comox Valley Record, Courtenay/Comox Valley, B.C.
Great West Newspapers CEO Duff Jamison said it’s the excellent, diligent staff of the St. Albert Gazette who deserve the applause.
"We have a great group of people here at the Gazette. They set the bar high and then leap over it year after year," said Jamison.
St. Albert Gazette publisher Brian Bachynski said many different people and departments all come together to earn industry recognition.
"Everyone at the Gazette shares in these awards,” said Bachynski. “From our sales staff to our editorial, creative, printing, distribution, accounting and IT departments – they all make the extra effort to build a quality newspaper for our readers and advertisers. It truly is a great team.”
Editor Stu Salkeld said the reporters, photographers, graphic artists and production staff work very hard every week to give readers a product that is accurate and relevant to their community.
“My reporters take pride in their work, and that shows,” said Salkeld. “They really get behind the scenes.”
Outside sales manager Al Glaser said the Gazette has loyal readers, which ensures success.
“It goes hand in hand with our readers. If you don’t have readers, then you don’t have a newspaper,” said Glaser.
“The only way you’re successful is if people read your newspaper.”
Inside sales manager Pat Annand agreed members of the community, including advertisers, all played a part in awards such as these. “What an honour,” said Annand.
“Everyone at the Gazette has an important role to play in producing the number one community newspaper in Canada! I feel our readers and advertisers play a huge role in this because without them we could not assemble the great staff that we enjoy to put out a quality newspaper that is delivered to our readers’ doors twice a week.”
The Gazette was also noted in a few other categories: Second place for Best Front Page, third place for Best Historical Story (Scott Hayes), first for Best Sports coverage, third for Best Website and first for Best Environmental Writing (Kevin Ma – Wild St. Albert)
The prestigious annual awards program from Newspapers Canada features over 30 unique categories honouring outstanding editorial, photography, multimedia and overall excellence in community newspaper publishing. The 2014 competition saw 273 publications from coast to coast submit 2,688 entries representing their best work from 2013.
