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We're able to focus our attention on publishing impactful journalism in the public interest, and publish it for free for all to read, because we have the support of Tyee Builders. Tyee Builders are readers who contribute a bit of money — at a level and frequency of their choice — to support our editorial budget.

This core of supporters — making up about 1 to 2 per cent of our daily readership — enables us to pay our writers, keep our articles free and open to all, and not bombard our readers with annoying ads while you try to read.

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If you'd like to join thousands of readers who help make independent journalism possible, consider joining Tyee Builders. Thank you.

— Jeanette Ageson, Publisher

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You made it all the way through the article — I hope that means you liked it (or if not ‘liked’ it, gleaned some useful information from it). Tyee articles are known for being quite lengthy, so we appreciate when people spend some quality time with our work.

Listen, I’ll get to the point — the article you just read was made possible because our non-profit newsroom was able to pay a talented journalist to research and write it. And we can only afford to do that because of our business model, which relies on a certain percentage of our readers signing up for our paid membership program called Tyee Builders.

The traditional business model for journalism in Canada has been completely disrupted, and we’re witnessing a slow collapse as corporate newsrooms buy up distressed publications, lay people off, and suck the value out of them before declaring bankruptcy. And it doesn’t help that tech giant Meta has blocked Canadian news on their Facebook and Instagram platforms.

There is another way and we are carving the path.

Between 1 to 2 per cent of people who visit The Tyee contribute financially, but amazingly, that small percentage is enough to fund half of our overall budget. And it means we can operate without a paywall, too. 1 per cent of people giving means 99 per cent of people get access to quality, fact-based journalism from a talented team of journalists who live and work in B.C., Alberta, and across Canada. We think that’s pretty remarkable.

If you’re concerned about the way journalism is heading in Canada and you’d like to do something about it, consider joining Tyee Builders and contributing an amount that works for you.

— Jeanette Ageson, Publisher

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Tyee News

Raffi Cavoukian Is a Tyee Builder

He championed the baby beluga; now, it's The Tyee he croons for. Want to know what hooks musician Raffi? Read on.

Tyee Staff 28 Apr 2012TheTyee.ca

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Raffi Cavoukian, Tyee Builder

Hold the Bananaphone. Did you know that (besides being the saving grace of road-tripping parents with small children) Raffi is a strong advocate for Canada's media singing an independent tune? That's why he's a Tyee Builder.

"What hooks me about The Tyee? The writing, the writers, and the passion. And let's not leave out the elegant website design. Stylin'!" -- Raffi Cavoukian

Stylin' is right: we're fine with the way The Tyee looks. What we're hoping to do with our Tyee Builders Program is to amp up our reporting capacity and publish more award-winning journalism on those eye-pleasing pages. Just like Raffi's "Baby Beluga," The Tyee swims "wild and free" of any mainstream media organization. If we're going to keep up with them, we need you to help us along. Click on the yellow button below to learn more about how to join Raffi and the rest of the Tyee Builders in supporting The Tyee.

    Click to Become a Tyee Builder

About this Tyee Builder: Raffi Cavoukian - known by most as just "Raffi" - is a singer, songwriter, author, and outspoken advocate for "child honouring": a "children-first" way of looking at the world that encourages healthy communities and rebuilding the environment with kids in mind. Born in Cairo, his family moved to Canada when Raffi was young. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the Order of Canada (1983) and the Order of British Columbia (2001). You can read more about Raffi's work on his organization's website, Centre for Child Honouring.

About the Tyee Builder Program: Want to give independent Canadian journalism a boost? You've come to the right place. The Tyee is trying to become fully sustainable. In order to do so, we've launched the Tyee Builders program to allow readers who love The Tyee's work to help fund more of it. Every penny you support us with will go directly to pay Tyee writers and editors. And besides the warm, fuzzy feelings you'll get knowing you're helping dial up the volume on an independent voice in Canadian media, we've come up with a few other ways to thank you. Click on "Hammertime" above to learn more and start Building! [Tyee]

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