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. Final presentation date will be announced soon.
Thank you to our Gala Sponsor, Ontario Power Generation, for their continued support of
Ontario’s community newspapers! 
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
Listowel Banner
The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton
Honourable Mention: Minden Times
GE02&03 - Class 2 & 3: Circ. 2,000 - 6,499
Eganville Leader
New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker
Niagara This Week, Niagara-on-the-Lake Advance
GE04 - Class 4: Circ. 6,500 - 12,499
Glanbrook Gazette
Haliburton, The Highlander
Niagara This Week, Fort Erie Post
GE05 - Class 5: Circ. 12,500 - 22,499
Elmira-Woolwich Observer
Grimsby Lincoln News
Orangeville Citizen
Honourable Mention: Midland/Penetanguishene Mirror
GE06&07 - Class 6 & 7: Circ. over 22,500
Barrie Advance
Fergus Wellington Advertiser
Niagara This Week, Niagara Falls
Honourable Mention: Listowel Independent Plus
GE08 - Class 8: College &University
Durham College - The Chronicle
Fanshawe College - Interrobang
Loyalist College - Pioneer
College/University Awards
CU01 - Student Feature Writing
Algonquin College - Nathan Drescher
Centennial College - Erin Horrocks-Pope
Centennial College - Kai Gammage
CU02 - Student News Writing
Sponsored by: Ontario Journalism Educators Association
Durham College - Joey Cole
Fanshawe College - Amy Simon
Loyalist College - Jessica Schmidt
CU03 - Student Photography
Durham College - Corrado Distefano
Loyalist College - Felix Chagnon
Loyalist College - Kayla Isomura
CU04 - Best College/University Newspaper Website
Fanshawe College - theinterrobang.ca
Centennial College - torontoobserver.ca
Humber College - humbernews.ca
Premier Awards
PC01 - Arts & Entertainment
Sponsored by: Midwestern Newspapers
Glanbrook Gazette - Tamara Botting
Haliburton, The Highlander - Sam Gillett
Hamilton Mountain News - Mark Newman
PC02 - Best Business and Finance Story
Aylmer Express - Renee Hueston
Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Leah Gerber
Stoney Creek News - Richard Leitner
Honourable Mention: Hamilton Mountain News - Mark Newman
PC03 - Best Editorial, circ. over 10,000
Ancaster News - Kevin Werner
Dundas Star News - Kevin Werner
North Wellington Community News - Patrick Raftis
PC04 - Best Editorial, circ. under 9,999
Burks Falls Almaguin News - Pamela Steel
Parry Sound North Star - Pamela Steel
Voice of Pelham - Dave Burket
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
PC05 - Education Writing
Sponsored by: Ontario Journalism Educators Association
Brampton Guardian - Krystle Hewitt
Manitoulin Expositor - Warren Schlote
Orangeville Banner - Tabitha Wells
Honourable Mention: Milton Canadian Champion - Kathy Yanchus
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Evan Saunders
PC06 - Environment Ontario
Newmarket Era/Aurora Banner - Kim Zarzour
Ottawa Community Voice, Kanata South - Nevil Hunt
Waterdown Flamborough Review - Julia Lovett-Squires
PC07 - Feature Writing, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: ORP Law
Brampton Guardian - Alexandra Heck
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Jordan Snobelen
Newmarket Era/Aurora Banner - Jeremy Grimaldi
Honourable Mention: Guelph Mercury Tribune - Graeme McNaughton
Honourable Mention: Waterloo Chronicle - Bill Jackson
PC08 - Feature Writing, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: ORP Law
Manotick Messenger - Jeff Morris
New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker - Diane Johnston
Voice of Pelham - Don Rickers, Carolyn Mullin & Dave Burket
Honourable Mention: Carleton Place/Almonte Canadian Gazette - Tara Gesner
Honourable Mention: Gravenhurst Banner - Sarah Law
PC09 - Health & Wellness
Haliburton, The Highlander - Mike Baker
Milton Canadian Champion - David Lea
Newmarket Era/Aurora Banner - Kim Zarzour
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Evan Saunders
PC10 - Heritage
Sponsored by: Fort Frances Times
Carleton Place/Almonte Canadian Gazette - Ashley Kulp
Manotick Messenger - Jeff Morris
Wingham Advance Times - Cory Bilyea
PC11 - Best Investigative News Story
Fort Frances Times - Merna Emara
Newmarket Era/Aurora Banner - Kim Zarzour
Voice of Pelham - John Chick & Dave Burket
PC12 - Best News Story, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: Hydro One
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Jordan Snobelen
Orangeville Citizen - Sam Odrowski
Ottawa Community Voice, Kanata South - Nevil Hunt & Blair Edwards
Honourable Mention: Grimsby Lincoln News - Luke Edwards
PC13 - Best News Story, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Hydro One
Haliburton, The Highlander - Sam Gillett
Manitoulin Expositor - Gina Simon
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
PC14 - Best Rural Story, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Jordan Snobelen
Grimsby Lincoln News - Chris Pickles
Listowel Independent Plus - Dan McNee
PC15 - Best Rural Story, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Eganville Leader - Gerald Tracey and Debbi Christinck
Glanbrook Gazette - Tara Lindemann
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Jill Troyer
PC16 - Best Feature/News Series, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: Hydro One
Burlington Post - Melanie Hennessey, Bambang Sadewo & Mansoor Tanweer
Hamilton Mountain News - Mark Newman
Markham Economist & Sun - Heidi Riedner, Amanda Persico & Kim Zarzour
PC17 - Best Feature/News Series, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Hydro One
Haliburton County Echo - Stephen Petrick
Kemptville, North Grenville Times - David Shanahan
Voice of Pelham - Don Rickers, Dave Burket & Helen Tran
Honourable Mention: Kemptville Advance - Jennifer Westendorp
PC18 - Sport & Recreation Story
Haliburton, The Highlander - Sam Gillett
The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Barry Wright & Heather Wright
Waterloo Chronicle - Bill Jackson
PC19 - Best Headline Writing
Barrie Advance - Chris Simon, Janis Ramsay & Rick Vanderlinde
Burks Falls Almaguin News - Sarah Cooke
Listowel Banner
PC20 - Best Covid-19 Coverage
Manitoulin Expositor - Mike Erskine
Niagara This Week, Niagara-on-the-Lake Advance
Wilmot - Tavistock Gazette - Veronica Reiner, Melissa Mills, Lee Griffi & Nigel Gordijk
PC21 - Diversity Coverage
Perth Courier - Laurie Weir, Ashley Kulp & Desmond Devoy
Waterloo Chronicle - Bill Jackson
Wingham Advance Times - Cory Bilyea
Honourable Mention: Voice of Pelham - Dave Burket & Brian Green
PC22 - Best Police/Court Story or Series
Burks Falls Almaguin News - Sarah Cooke
Muskokaregion.com - Kristyn Anthony
Voice of Pelham - Don Rickers & Dave Burket
Honourable Mention: Orangeville Citizen - Paula Brown
Honourable Mention: Smiths Falls Record News - Laurie Weir
PC23 - Best Guest/Freelance Column
Haldimand County, The Sachem - Suzanne Hurley
Hamilton Mountain News - Shane Pennells
Wilmot - Tavistock Gazette - Chip Bender
Honourable Mention: Manitoulin Expositor - Heather Marshall
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Maddy Gordon
Honourable Mention: Voice of Pelham - Victoria Balfour & Dave Burket
PC24 - Humour Columnist of the Year
Fort Frances Times - Jack Elliott
Listowel Banner - Dan McNee
Walkerton Herald Times - Mike Wilson
PC25 - Columnist of the Year
Manotick Messenger - Jeff Morris
Minden Times - Jim Poling
Perth Courier - Laurie Weir
PC26 - Reporter of the Year - Stephen Shaw Award
Sponsored by: Ontario Power Generation
Haliburton, The Highlander - Lisa Gervais
Newmarket Era/Aurora Banner - Kim Zarzour
Richmond Hill/Thornhill Liberal - Jeremy Grimaldi
PC27 - Best Feature Photo, circ. over 10,000
Georgetown/Acton Independent & Free Press - Graham Paine
Newmarket Era/Aurora Banner - Steve Somerville
Ottawa Community Voice, North + - Nevil Hunt
PC28 - Best Feature Photo, circ. under 9,999
Aylmer Express - Rob Perry
Perth Courier - Desmond Devoy
Vankleek Hill Review - Reid Masson
PC29 - Best Photo Layout
Ayr News - Irene Schmidt-Adeney, Jimmy Balkwill, Bob Howes & Helen Hall
Listowel Banner - Janine Martin, Dan McNee & Mike Wilson
Walkerton Herald Times - Pauline Kerr & Janine Martin
PC30 - Best Sports Photo
Ayr News - Irene Schmidt-Adeney
Fort Frances Times - Dallas Phillips
The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
Honourable Mention: Wingham Advance Times - Kelsey Bent
PC31 - Best Spot News Photo
Sponsored by: Midwestern Newspapers
Bracebridge Examiner - Mary Beth Hartill
Carleton Place/Almonte Canadian Gazette - Tara Gesner
Milton Canadian Champion - Graham Paine
PC32 - Best News Photo
Bracebridge Examiner - Mary Beth Hartill
Georgetown/Acton Independent & Free Press - Graham Paine
Glanbrook Gazette - Tamara Botting
PC33 - Most Creative Grip and Grin Photo
Perth Courier - Desmond Devoy
Port Perry, The Standard - James J. Green
Smiths Falls Record News - Desmond Devoy
PC34 - Photographer of the Year
Burlington Post - Graham Paine
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Dave Van de Laar
PC35 - Cartoonist of the Year
Dundas Star News - Mike Vukovich
Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Scott Arnold
Port Perry, The Standard - Walt Radda
PC36 - Community Service
Eganville Leader - Fundraiser for Ukraine
The Haldimand Press - 2022 Provincial Election Debate
Uxbridge Cosmos - Special Early Edition
PC37 - Best Vertical Product
Cornwall Seaway News - Cornwall Living
Huntsville Forester - Algonquin Life
Listowel Independent Plus - Country Life - Spring 2022
PC38 - Best Front Page, circ. over 10,000
Cambridge Times
Midland/Penetanguishene Mirror
Stoney Creek News
PC39 - Best Front Page, circ. under 9,999
Burks Falls Almaguin News
Listowel Banner
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report
PC40 - Best Sports Section
Eganville Leader
New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker
St. Mary's Independent
PC41 - Special Section, circ. over 10,000
Cornwall Seaway News - Christmas At Home
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Arthur 150th Anniversary
Listowel Independent Plus - Milverton Fire Department 100th Anniversary
PC42 - Special Section, circ. under 9,999
Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Christmas Wishes 2021
Renfrew Mercury - Renfrew 150th Anniversary
The Haldimand Press - Farms: Harvest 2022
PC43 - Best Feature/Unit Pages
Manitoulin Expositor - Farm Safety
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Upper Canada Food Guide
Smiths Falls Record News - Smiths Falls honours LPGA Superstar - Brooke Henderson
PC44 - Best Creative Ad
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Alicia Roza
Fort Frances Times - Tanya Jerome
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
PC45 - In House Promotion
Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Pat Merlihan
Fort Frances Times - Leanne Donaldson
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley & Kevin MacLean
PC46 - Local Retail Layout
Sponsored by: Metro Creative Graphics
Haliburton, The Highlander - Tania Moher
North Wellington Community News - Alicia Roza
Port Perry, The Standard - Colleen Green
PC47 - Original Ad Idea
Deep River North Renfrew Times - Jane Barkley
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley & Kevin MacLean
Port Perry, The Standard - Colleen Green
PC48 - Best Use of Colour
Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Steve Gilholm
North Wellington Community News - Alicia Roza
Port Perry, The Standard - Natasha Green
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
PC49 - Best Community Website/WebPortal, circ. over 10,000
Ancaster News - thespec.com/local-ancaster/home.html
Cambridge Times - cambridgetimes.ca
Hamilton Mountain News - thespec.com/local-hamilton-mountain/home.html
PC50 - Best Community Website/WebPortal, circ. under 9,999
Fort Frances Times - fftimes.com
Vankleek Hill Review - thereview.ca
Wilmot - Tavistock Gazette - wilmotpost.ca
Honourable Mention: Listowel Banner - midwesternnewspapers.com
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - niagaranow.com
PC51 - ONLINE Special Initiative
Burlington Post - Louie Rosella & Bambang Sadewo
Haliburton, The Highlander
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Evan Saunders
PC52 - ONLINE Breaking News Coverage
Barrie Advance - John Edwards, Frank Matys & Sara Carson
Carleton Place/Almonte Canadian Gazette - Hollie Pratt-Campbell & Ashley Kulp
Milton Canadian Champion - Herb Garbutt, Louie Rosella & Graham Paine
Honourable Mention: Smiths Falls Record News - Laurie Weir, Melissa Novacaska & Hollie Pratt-Campbell
PC53 - Multimedia Online/Best Online Experience for a Story
Georgina Advocate - Amanda Persico & Kim Zarzour
Mississauga News - Iain Colpitts & Alexandra Heck
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley & Nicholas Rothwell
PC54 - Breaking News Video
Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Dave Van de Laar & Kevin MacLean