2021 BNC Winners Announced
The OCNA is proud to recognize the outstanding work produced each week by our member newspapers and showcase it to readers and advertisers. Thank you to everyone who submitted entries for the 2021 BNC Awards and congratulations to the winners in each category.
Thank you to our Gala Sponsor, Ontario Power Generation, for their continued support of Ontario’s community newspapers!
This list is interactive! To view the entry submitted for each winner, click on the newspaper name or edition.
General Excellence Awards
GE01 - Class 1: Circ. 1,999 & under
1st place: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton October 2020 July 2021
2nd place: Haliburton County Echo October 2020 July 2021
3rd place: The Herald Serving Thamesville, Dresden and Bothwell October 2020 July 2021
Honourable Mention: Deep River North Renfrew Times October 2020 July 2021
GE02&03 - Class 2 & 3: Circ. 2,000 - 6,499
1st place: Niagara This Week, Niagara-on-the-Lake Advance October 2020 July 2021
2nd place: Vankleek Hill Review October 2020 July 2021
3rd place: Eganville Leader October 2020 July 2021
GE04 - Class 4: Circ. 6,500 - 12,499
1st place: Haliburton, The Highlander October 2020 July 2021
2nd place: Niagara This Week, Fort Erie Post October 2020 July 2021
3rd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report October 2020 July 2021
Honourable Mention: Voice of Pelham October 2020 July 2021
GE05 - Class 5: Circ. 12,500 - 22,499
1st place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer October 2020 July 2021
2nd place: Ancaster News October 2020 July 2021
3rd place: Orangeville Citizen October 2020 July 2021
GE06 - Class 6: Circ. 22,500 - 44,999
1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser October 2020 July 2021
2nd place: Sarnia Journal October 2020 July 2021
3rd place: Niagara This Week, Niagara Falls October 2020 July 2021
Honourable Mention: Grimsby Lincoln News October 2020 July 2021
GE07 - Class 7: Circ. 45,000 & over
1st place: Niagara This Week, St. Catharines October 2020 July 2021
2nd place: Hamilton Mountain News October 2020 July 2021
3rd place: Barrie Advance October 2020 July 2021
Honourable Mention: Burlington Post October 2020 July 2021
GE08 - Class 8: College &University
1st place: Durham College - The Chronicle Fall 2020 Winter 2021
2nd place: Humber College - Et Cetera Fall 2020 Winter 2021
3rd place: Fanshawe College – Interrobang Fall 2020 Winter 2021
Honourable Mention: Loyalist College – Pioneer Fall 2020 Winter 2021
College/University Awards
CU01 - Student Feature Writing
1st place: Durham College - Allaya Sue
2nd place: Algonquin College - Madalyn Howitt
3rd place: Durham College - Shaun McLeod
CU02 - Student News Writing
Sponsored by: Ontario Journalism Educators Association
1st place: Centennial College - Alexander Varoutas
2nd place: Humber College - Tyler Cheese
3rd place: Centennial College - Arsheen Shamaila
Honourable Mention: Algonquin College - Tamara Condie
CU03 - Student Photography
1st place: Loyalist College - Alex Lupul
2nd place: Algonquin College - Tamara Condie
3rd place: Loyalist College - Cassie Williamson
CU04 - Best College/University Newspaper Website
1st place: Fanshawe College - theinterrobang.ca
2nd place: Centennial College - torontoobserver.ca
3rd place: Algonquin College - algonquintimes.com
Honourable Mention: Durham College - chronicle.durhamcollege.ca
Premier Awards
PC01 - Arts & Entertainment
Sponsored by: Midwestern Newspapers
1st place: Perth Courier - Laurie Weir
2nd place: Walkerton Herald Times - Colin Burrowes
3rd place: Manotick Messenger - Skyler Fraser & Jeff Morris
Honourable Mention: Fort Frances Times - Ken Kellar
Honourable Mention: Guelph Mercury Tribune - Jonathan Duncan
PC02 - Best Business and Finance Story
1st place: Bracebridge Examiner - Mary Beth Hartill
2nd place: Brampton Guardian - Graeme Frisque
3rd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Jordan Snobelen
Honourable Mention: Arnprior Chronicle-Guide - Derek Dunn
Honourable Mention: Stoney Creek News - Richard Leitner
PC03 - Best Editorial, circ. over 10,000
1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Chris Daponte
2nd place: North Wellington Community News - Pat Raftis
3rd place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Steve Kannon
Honourable Mention: Brampton Guardian - Roger Belgrave
PC04 - Best Editorial, circ. under 9,999
1st place: Eganville Leader
2nd place: Minden Times - Chad Ingram
3rd place: Burks Falls Almaguin News - Pamela Steel
Honourable Mention: Smiths Falls Record News - Hollie Pratt-Campbell
PC05 - Education Writing
Sponsored by: Ontario Journalism Educators Association
1st place: Perth Courier - Desmond Devoy
2nd place: Ajax Pickering News Advertiser - Jillian Follert
3rd place: Milton Canadian Champion - Bambang Sadewo
Honourable Mention: Barrhaven Independent - Jeff Morris
Honourable Mention: Newmarket Era/Aurora Banner - Lisa Queen
PC06 - Environment Ontario
1st place: Parry Sound North Star - Stephannie Johnson
2nd place: Manitoulin Expositor - Mike Erskine
3rd place: Waterdown Flamborough Review - Mac Christie
Honourable Mention: Kincardine Independent - Tammy Schneider
PC07 - Feature Writing, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: O’Donnell, Robertson & Partners
1st place: Guelph Mercury Tribune - Jessica Lovell
2nd place: Cambridge Times - Bill Doucet
3rd place: Oshawa This Week - Jillian Follert
Honourable Mention: Northumberland News - Natalie Hamilton
PC08 - Feature Writing, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: O’Donnell, Robertson & Partners
1st place: Voice of Pelham - Dave Burket & Helen Tran
2nd place: Haliburton County Echo - Sue Tiffin
3rd place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Sam Gillett & Lyelca Rodrigues
PC09 - Health & Wellness
1st place: Cambridge Times - Bill Doucet
2nd place: Glanbrook Gazette - Tamara Botting
3rd place: Haliburton County Echo - Sue Tiffin
PC10 - Heritage
Sponsored by: Fort Frances Times
1st place: Eganville Leader - Johanna Zomers
2nd place: Haliburton County Echo - Sue Tiffin
3rd place: Voice of Pelham - Dave Burket & Don Rickers
Honourable Mention: Vankleek Hill Review – Louise Sproule
PC11 - Best Investigative News Story
1st place: Perth Courier - Laurie Weir
2nd place: Cambridge Times - Bill Doucet
3rd place: Smiths Falls Record News - Evelyn Harford
PC12 - Best News Story, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: Hydro One
1st place: Wasaga/Stayner Sun - Ian Adams
2nd place: Sarnia Journal - Cathy Dobson
3rd place: Niagara This Week, Welland - Nick Fearns
PC13 - Best News Story, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Hydro One
1st place: Manitoulin Expositor - Warren Schlote
2nd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake Local
3rd place: Voice of Pelham - Dave Burket & Don Rickers
Honourable Mention: Burks Falls Almaguin News
Honourable Mention: East Gwillimbury Express - Jeremy Grimaldi
PC14 - Best Rural Story, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: Ontario Federation of Agriculture
1st place: Milton Canadian Champion - Herb Garbutt
2nd place: Haldimand County, The Sachem - Tara Lindemann
3rd place: Waterdown Flamborough Review - Julia Lovett-Squires
PC15 - Best Rural Story, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Ontario Federation of Agriculture
1st place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Don Reynolds & Jill Troyer
2nd place: Barrhaven Independent - Jeff Morris
3rd place: Aylmer Express - Jodi Clayton & Veronica Reiner
Honourable Mention: Gravenhurst Banner - Sarah Law
Honourable Mention: Smiths Falls Record News - Evelyn Harford
Honourable Mention: Voice of Pelham - Michael Ruehle
PC16 - Best Feature/News Series, circ. over 10,000
Sponsored by: Hydro One
1st place: Smiths Falls Record News - Laurie Weir, Evelyn Harford, Tara Gesner, Jonathan Mulvihill Article #1 Article#2 Article#3 Article#4
2nd place: Burlington Post - Herb Garbutt, Bryan Myers, Bambang Sadewo Article #1 Article#2 Article#3
3rd place: Newmarket Era/Aurora Banner - Lisa Queen Article #1 Article#2 Article#3
PC17 - Best Feature/News Series, circ. under 9,999
Sponsored by: Hydro One
1st place: Barrhaven Independent - Jeff Morris
2nd place: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Katrina Boguski
3rd place: Listowel Banner - Colin Burrowes
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley, Elizabeth Masson, Evan Saunders
PC18 - Sport & Recreation Story
1st place: Guelph Mercury Tribune - Jessica Lovell
2nd place: The Haldimand Press - Mike Renzella
3rd place: Listowel Banner - Dan McNee
PC19 - Best Headline Writing
1st place: Walkerton Herald Times
2nd place: Listowel Banner
3rd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley & Kevin MacLean
Honourable Mention: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker - Steven Larocque
PC20 - Best Covid-19 Coverage
1st place: Barrie Advance - Janis Ramsay & Chris Simon Article #1 Article#2 Article#3 Article#4
2nd place: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright & Alex Kurial
3rd place: Aylmer Express - Brett Hueston & Veronica Reiner
Honourable Mention: Carleton Place/Almonte Canadian Gazette - Ashley Kulp Article #1 Article#2 Article#3
PC21 - Diversity Coverage
1st place: The Haldimand Press - Mike Renzella
2nd place: Wingham Advance Times - Cory Bilyea
3rd place: Waterdown Flamborough Review - Mac Christie & Julia Lovett-Squires Article #1 Article#2 Article#3 Article#4
Honourable Mention: Caledon Enterprise - Steve Cornwell
Honourable Mention: Manotick Messenger - Jeff Morris
Honourable Mention: Smiths Falls Record News - Evelyn Harford Article #1 Article#2
PC22 - Best Police/Court Story or Series
1st place: Gravenhurst Banner - Kristyn Anthony Article #1 Article#2 Article#3 Article#4
2nd place: Manitoulin Expositor - Lori Thompson
3rd place: Perth Courier - Desmond Devoy Article #1 Article#2 Article#3 Article#4
Honourable Mention: Renfrew Mercury - Jonathan Mulvihill Article #1 Article#2 Article#3 Article#4
Honourable Mention: Voice of Pelham - Dave Burket & Don Rickers
PC23 - Best Guest/Freelance Column
1st place: Deep River North Renfrew Times - Jenna Walsh
2nd place: Manitoulin Expositor - Bonnie Kogos
3rd place: Niagara This Week, Fort Erie Post - Wendy Sturgeon
Honourable Mention: Dundas Star News - Shane Pennells
PC24 - Humour Columnist of the Year
1st place: Haliburton County Echo - Steve Galea
2nd place: Vankleek Hill Review - Mike Gasher Article #1 Article#2 Article#3
3rd place: Niagara This Week, The Leader - James Culic
PC25 - Columnist of the Year
1st place: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright
2nd place: Cambridge Times - Loraine Centeno Article #1 Article#2 Article#3
3rd place: Uxbridge Cosmos - Ted Barris
Honourable Mention: Mississauga News - John Stewart Article #1 Article#2 Article#3
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake Local - Jane Andres
PC26 - Reporter of the Year - Stephen Shaw Award
Sponsored by: Ontario Power Generation
1st place: Richmond Hill/Thornhill Liberal - Kim Zarzour Article #1 Article#2 Article#3
2nd place: The Haldimand Press - Mike Renzella Article #1 Article#2 Article#3
3rd place: Markham Economist & Sun - Jeremy Grimaldi Article #1 Article#2 Article#3
PC27 - Best Feature Photo, circ. over 10,000
1st place: Hamilton Mountain News - Mark Newman
2nd place: Orangeville Banner - Alexandra Heck
3rd place: Sarnia Journal - Ronny D'Haene
Honourable Mention: Cornwall Seaway News - Marc Benoit
PC28 - Best Feature Photo, circ. under 9,999
1st place: Wilmot Post - Lisa Hagen
2nd place: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright, Alex Kurial, Cathy Dobson
3rd place: Minden Times - Darren Lum
PC29 - Best Photo Layout
1st place: Wingham Advance Times - Cory Bilyea & Kelsey Bent
2nd place: Sarnia Journal - Ronny D'Haene & George Mathewson
3rd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley & Jill Troyer
PC30 - Best Sports Photo
1st place: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker - Steven Larocque
2nd place: Deep River North Renfrew Times - Vance Gutzman
3rd place: Wilmot Post - Lisa Hagen
PC31 - Best Spot News Photo
1st place: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker - Sue Nielsen
2nd place: Voice of Pelham - Don Rickers
3rd place: Aylmer Express - Rob Perry
Honourable Mention: Cambridge Times - Bill Doucet
PC32 - Best News Photo
1st place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
2nd place: Eganville Leader - Gerald Tracey
3rd place: Wingham Advance Times - Cory Bilyea
Honourable Mention: Voice of Pelham - Don Rickers
PC33 - Most Creative Grip and Grin Photo
1st place: Oakville Beaver - Graham Paine
2nd place: Perth Courier - Desmond Devoy
3rd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Jessica Maxwell
Honourable Mention: Milton Canadian Champion - Graham Paine
PC34 - Photographer of the Year
1st place: Richmond Hill/Thornhill Liberal - Steve Somerville Article #1 Article#2 Article#3 Article#4
2nd place: Oakville Beaver - Graham Paine
3rd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
PC35 - Cartoonist of the Year
1st place: Stoney Creek News - Mike Vukovich
2nd place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Scott Arnold
3rd place: Minden Times - Kim Wark
PC36 - Community Service
1st place: Manitoulin Expositor - Out of the Shadows: Manitoulin's Opioid Crisis Article #1 Article#2 Article#3 Article#4 Article#5
2nd place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Pandemic Heroes
3rd place: Eganville Leader - Cycling for Hospice
PC37 - Best Vertical Product
1st place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Here With Colin and Justin
2nd place: Listowel Independent Plus - Country Life Spring 2021
3rd place: Blyth/Brussels Citizen - Stops Along the Way - Summer 2021
Honourable Mention: Haliburton County Echo - Welcome to Haliburton County 2021
PC38 - Best Front Page, circ. over 10,000
1st place: Ancaster News
2nd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser
3rd place: Dundas Star News
PC39 - Best Front Page, circ. under 9,999
1st place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report
2nd place: Parry Sound North Star
3rd place: Voice of Pelham
PC40 - Best Sports Section
1st place: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker
2nd place: Haliburton, The Highlander
3rd place: Eganville Leader
PC41 - Special Section, circ. over 10,000
1st place: Sarnia Journal - Sarnia Remembers: A special tribute to our local heroes
2nd place: Cornwall Seaway News - Christmas At Home 2020
3rd place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Observer 25th Anniversary
Honourable Mention: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Remembrance Day
PC42 - Special Section, circ. under 9,999
1st place: Manitoulin Expositor - Out of the shadows: Manitoulin's Opioid Crisis
2nd place: Fort Frances Times - 2021 Agricultural Edition
3rd place: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Christmas Wishes 2020
PC43 - Best Feature/Unit Pages
1st place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Pandemic Heroes
2nd place: Aylmer Express - This is Aylmer, Our Hometown
3rd place: The Haldimand Press - Nurses Week
PC44 - Best Creative Ad
1st place: Listowel Banner
2nd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Jacqueline Furfaro
3rd place: Fort Frances Times - Susan Taylor
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report
Honourable Mention: North Wellington Community News - Alicia Roza
PC45 - In House Promotion
1st place: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley & Kevin MacLean
2nd place: Fort Frances Times - Leanne Donaldson
3rd place: Manitoulin Expositor - Kendra Edwards
PC46 - Local Retail Layout
Sponsored by: Metro Creative Graphics
1st place: Listowel Banner
2nd place: Manitoulin Expositor - Kendra Edwards
3rd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Jacqueline Furfaro
PC47 - Original Ad Idea
1st place: Ayr News - Helen and Mark Hall
2nd place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Pat Merlihan
3rd place: North Wellington Community News - Alicia Roza
Honourable Mention: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Jacqueline Furfaro
PC48 - Best Use of Colour
1st place: Deep River North Renfrew Times - Jane Barkley
2nd place: Kincardine Independent
3rd place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Lyelca Rodrigues
PC49 - Best Community Website/WebPortal, circ. over 10,000
1st place: Cornwall Seaway News - cornwallseawaynews.com
2nd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - wellingtonadvertiser.com
3rd place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer - ObserverXtra.com
PC50 - Best Community Website/WebPortal, circ. under 9,999
1st place: Manitoulin Expositor - manitoulin.com
2nd place: Deep River North Renfrew Times - northrenfrewtimes.ca
3rd place: Listowel Banner - midwesternnewspapers.com
Honourable Mention: Blyth/Brussels Citizen - huroncitizen.ca
Honourable Mention: The Haldimand Press - haldimandpress.com
Honourable Mention: Wilmot Post - wilmotpost.ca
PC51 - ONLINE Special Initiative
1st place: Manitoulin Expositor - Giovanni Capriotti, David Patterson, Warren Schlote
2nd place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Pat Merlihan
3rd place: Muskoka Muskokaregion.com - Pamela Steel
Honourable Mention: Parry Sound North Star
Honourable Mention: Scarborough Mirror - Dan Pearce, Mike Adler, Tamara Shephard, Andrew Palamarchuk, David Nickle, Joanna Lavoie
PC52 - ONLINE Breaking News Coverage
1st place: Burlington Post - Graham Paine, Louie Rosella, Bambang Sadewo Article #1 Article#2 Article#3
2nd place: Barrie Advance Article #1 Article#2 Article#3 Article#4
3rd place: Burks Falls Almaguin News - Sarah Cooke Article #1 Article#2
Honourable Mention: Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report - Richard Harley
PC53 - Multimedia Online/Best Online Experience for a Story
1st place: Milton Canadian Champion - Bambang Sadewo
2nd place: Georgina Advocate - Amanda Persico
3rd place: Mississauga News - James Chaarani & Steve Cornwell
Honourable Mention: Brampton Guardian - Clarrie Feinstein
PC54 - Breaking News Video
1st Place: Peterborough This Week - Todd Vandonk
2nd Place: Cornwall Seaway News - Nick Seebruch
3rd Place: Oakville Beaver - David Lea
Visit www.ocna.org/BNCBooklet2021 to see the BNC Results book or view the entire virtual presentation by clicking the image below.
