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The Tyee was founded on the belief that journalism can probe the forces both personal and political that shape our lives. It’s fitting, then, that stories that go to the heart of that mission have netted The Tyee nominations for national awards for journalism excellence.
The Tyee’s Isaac Phan Nay, Tyler Olsen and Jen St. Denis (twice!) have all scored nominations for awards to be handed out by the Canadian Association of Journalists. St. Denis is one of 10 finalists in multiple CAJ categories.
“Against all odds and the steep financial challenges Canadian journalism faces, the CAJ awards competition is as fierce as ever, I'm glad to see,” Tyee editor-in-chief David Beers said. “It's extremely gratifying that Tyee team members — and a former practicum student — are among this year's finalists. All who keep us afloat by contributing as Tyee Builders deserve huge credit for supporting journalism in the public interest. Thank you!”
The nominated stories share common themes, with two of the articles examining the circumstances of two deaths and two introducing readers to controversial figures shaping B.C. politics in dramatic ways.
St. Denis is nominated for the Janice Johnston Award for Crime and Justice Reporting for her story on the final days of Katica Dusanic, who died in a Vancouver single-room occupancy hotel in 2021. She is also nominated for the Same-Day Story Award, which recognizes stories completed in a single day, for an article on a far-right internet personality blamed for splitting the nascent OneBC political party.
“For many Canadian journalists, winning or being nominated for a CAJ award is a highlight of our career because the CAJ is a grassroots organization, by and for journalists, and the entries are judged by our peers,” St. Denis said. “It's such an honour to be nominated for two categories this year, and to see several current and former Tyee colleagues also nominated.”
Kristen de Jager, a recent journalism school graduate who completed a practicum with The Tyee in 2025, has also been nominated in the Student Journalism Award of Excellence category for a suite of stories that focused on the environment.
Phan Nay was recognized for his story on questions surrounding Kulbir Kaila, a janitor at Simon Fraser University who collapsed and died after a day of work.
“It’s exciting to be a finalist, but these janitors’ stories are not over,” Phan Nay said. “Thanks to The Tyee for giving me the space and support to keep following their cases.”
Olsen was nominated for the Geoffrey Stevens Award for Local Government Reporting alongside Castanet Kamloops reporter Kristen Holliday for their jointly written and published feature story on Reid Hamer-Jackson, the controversial mayor of Kamloops.
“The story and its reception from readers and judges show the value of collaborations between news outlets and journalists with unique skill sets, resources and contacts,” Olsen said.
Tim Petruk, Castanet’s Kamloops editor, noted that the complexity of the story made it ambitious and challenging.
“Collaborating with another newsroom allowed us to take a bigger swing and ultimately tell a more complete story than either of us could have done on our own,” Petruk said.
The award winners will be announced at a gala on June 13 at the conclusion of the Canadian Association of Journalists annual national conference.
St. Denis is an active volunteer with the CAJ and Olsen sits on the organization’s board, but neither was involved in any way with the awards process. ![[Tyee]](/design-article.thetyee.ca/ui/img/yellowblob.png){kind=small}
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