La Presse Wins 2024 Michener Award for Exposing Systemic Failures in Quebec's Youth Protection System Français
La Presse 's investigative team—Ariane Lacoursière, Caroline Touzin, Gabrielle Duchaine, and Katia Gagnon—conducted a series of in-depth reports uncovering widespread dysfunction within Quebec's youth protection system. Their reporting revealed harrowing instances of children being wrongfully removed from their families, subjected to physical restraints and seclusion, and exposed to sexual abuse in foster homes and detention facilities.
The La Presse reports led to investigations into multiple regional agencies, the trusteeship of one agency, the resignation of the provincial director of youth protection, and the establishment of a Commissioner for Children's Well-Being and Rights by the Quebec government.
"The calibre of work produced by the La Presse team exemplifies the very essence of public service journalism," said Margo Goodhand, President of the Michener Awards Foundation. "Their relentless pursuit of truth and accountability not only brought systemic issues to light, but also instigated meaningful reforms that will benefit countless children and families in Quebec going forward."
The Michener Award, established in 1970 by the late Right Honourable Roland Michener, recognizes excellence in public service journalism that makes a significant impact on the lives of Canadians. This year's finalists included Global News, The Globe and Mail (two entries), Toronto Star, and The Vancouver Sun.
The following newsrooms were awarded a Michener citation of merit:
Global News – Federal Procurement Investigations
Globe & Mail – The Algorithm
Globe & Mail – Have Nurses, Will Travel
Toronto Star – Kids in Crisis & The Invisible Girl
Vancouver Sun – The Preventable Death of a University Student
The Michener Award Foundation also recognized the 2025 Michener-Deacon (Katrine Desautels) and Michener-L. Richard O'Hagan (Chris Arsenault and Josette Lafleur) Fellowship recipients, the first recipients of the new Norman Webster Fellowship in Support of Local News (Cabin Radio and Le Droit), as well as Robert Fife as the recipient of the Michener-Baxter Award for Exceptional Service to Canadian Journalism.
Thank you to the 2024 Michener Award judges:
About the Michener Awards
The Michener Awards honour, celebrate, and promote excellence in Canadian public service journalism. Established in 1970 by the late Right Honourable Roland Michener, Governor General of Canada from 1967 to 1974, the Michener Awards are Canada's premier journalism award. The Michener Awards Foundation's Board of Directors administers the award, in partnership with the Rideau Hall Foundation. Learn more at www.MichenerAwards.ca.
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