DeSmog Canada has been named as a finalist for “Best News Coverage” by the Canadian Online Publishing Awards.

The awards recognize the best of the country’s online publishing and are judged by a panel of experts from Canada and the U.S.

The other finalists in the “Best News Coverage” category are The Globe and Mail, CBC News, Macleans Magazine and The Huffington Post Canada.

DeSmog Canada submitted three stories for consideration for the award.

I Went to the Mount Polley Mine Spill Site by Carol Linnitt is a first-hand photo essay of the aftermath of the Mount Polley tailings pond disaster in August 2014.

Field of Dreams: Peace Valley Farmers, Ranchers Fight to Keep Land Above Water As Site C Dam Decision Looms by Emma Gilchrist profiles those who stand to lose the most from the construction of the most expensive public project in B.C. history: the Site C dam.

Companies Illegally Dumped Toxic Fracking Chemicals in Dawson Creek Water Treatment Systems At Least Twice, Officials Report by Linnitt rounded out the submission. In that article, Linnitt tells the story of companies thwarting fracking waste disposal laws.

At an awards ceremony last week in Toronto, The Globe and Mail took the gold prize for its coverage of the deadly attack on Ottawa last year. Maclean’s Magazine was awarded the silver prize for its coverage of the same event.

For our part at DeSmog Canada, we are beyond thrilled to be recognized alongside such heavy hitters in the news industry. As a small, non-profit news outlet, sometimes we feel like a small fish in a big pond. This recognition goes to show that when people come together and support independent media, big things can happen — thank you!

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A year ago, DeSmog Canada excitedly welcomed Emma Gilchrist to the role of Deputy Editor. As amazing as it has been to have Emma working tirelessly to bring the best out of our writers, digging into editing like it’s fun (really) and breaking news stories of national importance, we just can’t seem to contain all of her incredible talents in her part-time deputy position.

That’s why today we are beyond delighted to announce Emma’s new role as DeSmog Canada’s Executive Director.

Most of you will know Emma has incredible talent as a writer and, as we here at DeSmog know, she pretty much performs magic as an editor, but she also has a bold vision for independent media in Canada.

Coming from northern Alberta, Emma is familiar with the local politics of small towns dependent on oil and gas development. But as a seasoned journalist and citizen engagement expert, Emma also has rich insight into Canada’s political machinery and the role individuals, communities and civic organizations play in decision-making from the municipal to the federal level. (If you want the nitty gritty, you can read Emma’s full bio.)

In her reporting, Emma has brought critical insight to our readers across the nation. Now she'll be turning some of that strategic thinking toward building a sustainable non-profit media organization.  

With her new role, Emma will switch from splitting her time between DeSmogBlog and DeSmog Canada, to working full time for DeSmog Canada. But don’t worry, she’ll stay on as a contributor at DeSmogBlog, so you’re sure to still see her stories there.

Welcome to the new gig and congratulations, Emma. We’re a bunch of lucky ducks to have you on our team and leading the flock.

The Narwhal’s reporters are telling environment stories you won’t read about anywhere else. Stay in the loop by signing up for our free weekly dose of independent journalism.