Sam Laurin

Publisher & Editor

The Morrisburg Leader

 

Sam Laurin joined the family-owned Morrisburg Leader in 1977 –  along with his brother Terry and later his brother Mike – becoming the third generation of Laurin's to run the 160-year-old paper. Since then, Sam and his family have worked hard to keep the Leader a proudly independent newspaper for Morrisburg and the South Dundas area.

Sam's commitment to the community can be seen in his support of the local BIA and Chamber of Commerce in promoting area businesses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sam worked with the local municipality to offer advertising space to struggling businesses. The municipality purchased an average of four full-colour pages each week and then offered the space to local merchants. For its effort, the Leader was recognized by the municipality’s economic development committee with the Business of the Year award in late 2020. “The paper kept folks informed of what businesses were open and providing services, what resources were available to people who were laid off and how to ensure they would receive funding from government programs to allow them to continue to pay for living expenses,” said the individual who nominated the paper. Sam also has quite the charitable side, but is modest about publicizing his good works.

When it comes to the paper itself, Sam works hard to balance good news judgement and good customer services for readers and advertisers alike. He’s also willing to adopt new technologies when it serves the aims of the paper including a print first, breaking news online model that has allowed the Leader to be a vital digital presence without hurting the circulation of the print edition.

This is why the Ontario Community Newspapers Association is thrilled to announce Sam Laurin as an inductee of the OCNA Hall of Fame.

The OCNA Hall of Fame Award recognizes and celebrates individuals who have made exemplary contributions to Ontario’s community newspapers. Inductees are respected community news professionals who have remained passionate about the industry throughout challenges, opportunities, and changes. They are leaders who have helped community newspapers adapt and grow.