The Local has earned three nominations for Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) awards this year. The CAJ’s annual awards recognize excellence in Canadian journalism with a particular focus on in-depth and investigative work.

“We are honoured and proud to see The Local’s journalism being recognized alongside the very best work on the national stage,” said Tai Huynh, The Local’s editor-in-chief. “As a non-profit newsroom focused on issues affecting often overlooked corners of Toronto, the spotlight of these national awards means a great deal to us, and I hope, the communities on which we report.”

Here are the nominations:

“Community Written” category

Simon Lewsen earned a nomination for his story “The Crisis After the Crisis,” a panoramic look at Toronto’s northwest three years after the height of the COVID emergency.

Adin Wagner was nominated in the same category for “In Small Claims Court, Justice Delayed,” a data-driven story showing that while Ontario’s other court systems have bounced back from their pandemic-era backlogs, small claims court, where many low-income people seek justice, is lagging far behind.

“Student Award of Excellence” category

Daysha Loppie, one of our journalism fellows in 2023, is a finalist for “Growing Up on the 36 Finch West,” a deeply personal essay about the potential that transit has to transform neighbourhoods.

Award winners will be announced at a gala in Toronto on June 1, 2024.