Are you part of The Tyee's critical 1%?

Thanks for reading The Tyee today — we hope this article added to your day in some way. Our team of independent journalists takes pride in doing in-depth reporting and taking time to get it right.

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.

Instead of focusing on what kind of articles will attract the most advertising dollars, we can spend time devoted to researching and writing stories that our readers find most valuable and make the most positive impact in our region.

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

— Jeanette Ageson, Publisher

Click here to Join Tyee Builders

Help us un-break journalism in Canada

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

Click here to Join Tyee Builders
Marking 20 years
of bold journalism,
reader supported.
support us subscribe free
Tyee News
Federal Politics

A 92-Year-Old Activist's Advice For Defeating Harper: Vote

See Harry Smith explain how 'to get the citizens of Canada up off their asses' at rousing June 16 event.

Geoff Dembicki 1 Jun 2015TheTyee.ca

Geoff Dembicki reports on energy and climate change for The Tyee. Find his previous stories here.
HarrySmith_610px.jpg
Harry Smith: The fall election has potential to 'change Canada for the better.'

Most 90-year-olds want to live out their last days in tranquility. Harry Smith prefers to spend them defeating right-wing politicians. A writer for outlets like the Guardian, as well as an anti-austerity activist with over 37,000 Twitter followers, Smith visited 30 cities across the United Kingdom this spring in a spirited but unsuccessful effort to get his fellow citizens to vote down the Conservative government of David Cameron. He just landed in Canada to take on his latest target: Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Smith believes that the federal election this fall has real potential to "change Canada for the better." But for that to happen, "we have to get the citizens of Canada up off their asses," he explained in a phone call from Ontario. "If we ignore our democratic duty to vote, we will be entering a dark age." Smith's words were directed especially at young Canadians. If 20 per cent more of them had voted in the 2011 election, the pollster Nik Nanos has calculated, Harper likely wouldn't have won his majority.

"Somehow we have to instil hope in the young," Smith said. How exactly to do so will be one of the major themes of a public event The Tyee is hosting with the 92-year-old activist on June 16 in Vancouver, during which Smith will draw practical political lessons from nearly a century's worth of personal experiences. After his lecture, I'll draw from my own years of reporting on democracy and sustainability for The Tyee to lead Smith in what is sure to be a fascinating onstage conversation.

I'll also be drawing from you, Tyee reader. If you haven't got a ticket for the event, make sure to buy one here. They're going fast. And then let us know what burning question you'd like us to ask Smith. It's a rare chance to pick the brain of someone who's lived through the privations of pre-war England and the revolutions of our Twitter era. Use this Tyee poll, or the comments thread, to submit your question.

Need some inspiration? Watch this great introduction to Smith, his life and work, below.

Read more: Federal Politics

  • Share:

Facts matter. Get The Tyee's in-depth journalism delivered to your inbox for free

Tyee Commenting Guidelines

Comments that violate guidelines risk being deleted, and violations may result in a temporary or permanent user ban. Maintain the spirit of good conversation to stay in the discussion.
*Please note The Tyee is not a forum for spreading misinformation about COVID-19, denying its existence or minimizing its risk to public health.

Do:

  • Be thoughtful about how your words may affect the communities you are addressing. Language matters
  • Challenge arguments, not commenters
  • Flag trolls and guideline violations
  • Treat all with respect and curiosity, learn from differences of opinion
  • Verify facts, debunk rumours, point out logical fallacies
  • Add context and background
  • Note typos and reporting blind spots
  • Stay on topic

Do not:

  • Use sexist, classist, racist, homophobic or transphobic language
  • Ridicule, misgender, bully, threaten, name call, troll or wish harm on others
  • Personally attack authors or contributors
  • Spread misinformation or perpetuate conspiracies
  • Libel, defame or publish falsehoods
  • Attempt to guess other commenters’ real-life identities
  • Post links without providing context

LATEST STORIES

The Barometer

Are You Concerned about AI?

Take this week's poll