The Provincial Times is a journal of record for Canada, committed to covering provincial affairs with the depth, context, and rigour that responsible citizenship demands. Our mandate is to provide our readers with the non-partisan, factual reporting they require to navigate the country's political landscape. We report on the cut and thrust of the legislature and the consequences of political decisions for communities across the country.
Accuracy and Sourcing
Trust is our currency, and accuracy is how we earn it. Every fact, figure, and assertion published by The Provincial Times is subject to rigorous verification.
- Verification: We do not take political statements at face value. Whether originating from the government benches, the opposition, or advocacy groups, claims are treated as assertions to be tested against data, documents, and independent sources. We rely on primary sources whenever possible: budgets, legislation, audited financial statements, and on-the-record interviews.
- Right of Reply: Any individual, corporation, or organization subject to criticism or serious allegation in our reporting will be given a fair and timely opportunity to respond. We make reasonable efforts to reach the subject and will summarize their response accurately and in good faith. In cases where a subject declines to comment, we will note that they were allowed to do so.
- Attribution: We are transparent with readers about how we know what we know. Information is attributed to its source unless a clear and compelling public interest requires us to protect a source's confidentiality. Anonymous sourcing is reserved for situations where the information is demonstrably in the public interest and cannot be obtained elsewhere.
- Corrections: When we make mistakes, we correct the record promptly and conspicuously. A note will be appended to the bottom of the article explaining the correction. Requests for corrections can be filed here.
Independence and Impartiality
The Provincial Times is beholden to no political party, faction, or interest. Our sole loyalty is to the public interest.
- Non-Partisanship: Our journalists do not engage in partisan political activity, make campaign contributions, or display political signage. We do not work for political parties, candidates, or lobbyists. The appearance of bias is as damaging to our credibility as bias itself.
- Editorial Separation: A strict firewall separates our newsroom from our business operations. No advertiser, sponsor, or commercial partner has any influence over our editorial content. Sponsored content is clearly and prominently labelled and is produced without involvement from the newsroom.
- Gifts and Access: We do not accept payment for coverage, but may accept access to events, press conferences, and legislative proceedings as a matter of journalistic routine. Any complimentary goods or services that could be perceived as influencing coverage will be disclosed to readers.
- Lobbyists and Advocates: We treat information from lobbyists, public relations firms, and advocacy groups with appropriate scepticism. Their interests are transparent, and we identify their affiliation clearly in our reporting.
Reporting on Politics and Policy
Political coverage requires a particular discipline: the stakes are high, the spin is relentless, and the record is permanent.
- Elections: During election campaigns, our focus is on policy platforms, candidate qualifications, and the verifiable record of parties and leaders. We fact-check claims made on the stump and scrutinize party platforms for internal consistency and fiscal credibility. We cover parties in proportion to their public support and relevance, but we do not ignore smaller parties with significant policy ideas or credible local campaigns.
- Polls: Pre-election polling may be reported with appropriate context and caution. We include the polling firm's name, sample size, margin of error, and methodology. We resist reducing elections to horse-race coverage, recognizing that democracy is more than a spectator sport.
- Legislative Process: We cover not only the spectacle of Question Period but the substantive work of committees, the legislative committee stage, and the regulatory process. We recognize that much of the business of government happens away from the cameras.
- Documents and Leaks: Leaked documents are handled with care. We verify authenticity before publication and weigh the public interest against potential harm. When publishing from a leaked document, we describe its provenance as fully as possible without compromising our sources.
Fairness and Context
Fairness does not mean treating all sides as equally credible; it means applying the same standard of evidence to all.
- Language: We avoid pejorative, hyperbolic, or emotionally charged language. We describe policy failures, broken promises, and political tactics with precision and restraint. We do not refer to a person's race, religion, gender identity, or background unless it is demonstrably relevant to the story.
- False Equivalence: We do not give equal weight to facts and misinformation. We represent a range of serious opinions, but we do not platform baseless claims in the name of balance.
- Youth and Vulnerable Subjects: When covering political events involving minors or vulnerable individuals, we take particular care to avoid exploitation. We seek consent from parents or guardians when appropriate and avoid publishing information that could cause unnecessary harm.
Digital Stewardship
As a publication of record, we recognize our responsibility to preserve the integrity of our digital archive.
- Updates: Political stories evolve. When new information emerges, we update articles and note the time and reason for significant changes. We do not rewrite history; we build upon it.
- Unpublishing: We do not remove articles from our website. They form part of the historical record. Removal will be considered only in extraordinary circumstances, such as a proven and significant error that cannot be corrected with an editor's note, or a verified and serious threat to an individual's safety.
- Social Media: Public posts by politicians, parties, and political staff are considered public statements. We quote and embed them as we would any other public communication. We do not amplify private, deleted, or unverified posts without context.
Opinion and Analysis
We distinguish clearly between news reporting and opinion.
- Labelling: Opinion pieces, editorials, and columns are clearly labelled as such. They represent the views of the author or the editorial board and do not reflect the views of the newsroom staff.
- Analysis: Analytical pieces provide context and interpretation grounded in factual reporting. They are distinct from both breaking news and opinion, offering readers a deeper understanding of political developments without partisan advocacy.
The Provincial Times exists to serve the citizens of this country. Our commitment is to reporting that is accurate, fair, independent, and indispensable. We welcome scrutiny of our work and invite readers to hold us to the standards set forth here.