Unifor congratulates Globe reporter on her NNA award

Dear Carrie,

Congratulations on being named Journalist of the Year at this year's National Newspaper Awards.

It is a deeply deserved honour, not only because of the extraordinary impact of your reporting, but because of the courage and discipline with which you carried it out.

Your year-long work on Alberta's health spending scandal stood apart as a model of investigative doggedness and dedication to uncovering the truth.

You and your Globe teammates pursued a sweeping investigation into allegations that senior figures in Alberta's government and health bureaucracy interfered in the awarding of hundreds of millions of dollars in public health contracts, raising in-depth and uncomfortable inquiries about political favouritism, procurement integrity, and the stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

At a time when too many journalists are subjected to intimidation, harassment, legal threats and organized reputational attacks simply for asking difficult questions, your ability to stand your ground sends a powerful message about what independent journalism is meant to be.

Importantly, your reporting did not simply document a controversy but forced accountability. It demonstrated, in real time, why investigative journalism is one of the most essential pillars of democracy in Canada and around the world.

Those of us who care deeply about journalism and the workers who produce it, understand that awards like this recognize more than excellent writing. They underline ethical conviction and the willingness to keep going when powerful people demand silence.

Unifor represents more than 320,000 private sector members across the country, with 9,000 of them working in the media sector. Your reporting is a reminder of why this work matters and why it must be defended.

On behalf of Unifor, congratulations on this significant and well-earned recognition. We are proud to have you as a Unifor 87-M member. Canadian journalism is stronger because of reporters like you.

In solidarity,

Lana Payne
Unifor National President