Crawford Kilian Wins BC’s Commentator of the Year

A big cheer erupted across Tyee staff when Crawford Kilian won a top prize at the Webster Awards on Monday night. The annual awards program is named for the late reporter and broadcaster Jack Webster and celebrates journalism excellence in British Columbia.

Kilian won the prestigious “Commentator of the Year/City Mic Award,” a prize named after the CJOR Osoyoos radio program that cemented Webster as a leading commentator in the province. It recognizes journalists who present informed, intelligent and impactful commentary in a range of mediums.

In an algorithm-charged media cycle characterized by hot takes delivered at hyper-speed, Kilian’s calm, clear commentary is a breath of fresh air.

His work is rooted in deep reading and decades of expertise. A college instructor for 41 years, Kilian was first an education columnist for the Vancouver Province and then, starting in 2003, a contributing editor for The Tyee.

Along the way, he has published 22 books of fiction and non-fiction, among them an impactful history of Black settlers in B.C.

It’s safe to say that no current member of the news media has written as much commentary, as broadly and with as much erudition, as Kilian.

At age 85, he continues to publish several pieces a month. They are consistently among The Tyee’s best-read stories.

“Crawford is the wise elder of our journalism community. He’s written over a million words for The Tyee, offering an ongoing master class in making sense of things,” said Tyee editor-in-chief David Beers. “He’s a true polymath. His tracking and analysis of disease outbreaks, for example, have garnered Crawford invites to expert gatherings in Europe.”

From his home in North Vancouver, Kilian reacted to being told of his prize by sharing an anecdote.

“I remember once bumping into Jack Webster in the green room of some radio or TV program, many years ago. I mentioned a possible news story in my own neighbourhood and saw his eyes light up as he leaned forward, eager for details. That was Webster, and perhaps his attitude was contagious. When I learn of some new event or discovery, I light up, too. I lean forward, looking for details and implications, already thinking about the angle and what the lede should be. The story has its own excitement, and I want to share that excitement with my readers.

“My friends and colleagues at The Tyee know that excitement well, and I’m grateful for their support, encouragement and merciless copy-editing skills.

“So winning this award is a great honour. Without saying a word, Jack Webster mentored me in the journalist’s craft, which begins with surprise and ends with a new understanding of the world.”

Tyee writers were named finalists in three additional categories at the Webster Awards this year.

Northern B.C. reporter Amanda Follett Hosgood was a finalist for the “Excellence in Feature Reporting — Print/Digital” category for “The Case of Bella Coola’s Heart-Pounding Home-Built Highway,” the September 2025 installment of The Tyee’s popular “Place Detective” series.

Tyee regular contributor Zoë Yunker was a finalist in the “Excellence in Environment Reporting” category for “Inside the Fiery End of Vancouver Island’s Last Coal Mine,” a May 2026 investigation of Quinsam Coal’s toxic mess.

And senior editor Tyler Olsen, alongside co-author Kristen Holliday of Castanet Kamloops, were finalists in the “Excellence in Community Reporting” category for “Mayor of Chaos: How Kamloops Municipal Politics Became Infamous,” a feature about Kamloops’ controversial former mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson.

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners!

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