MANITOULIN—Your community newspaper has done it again! Associate editor Michael Erskine has nabbed two first-place awards at the 2025 Canadian Community Newspapers Association Better Newspapers Competition.
Mr. Erskine won top honours in the best national editorial category for his February 14, 2024 piece ‘Conservative Party’s plan to abolish innocence until proven guilty dangerous.’
The judge writes, “The Manitoulin Expositor takes issue with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s stated position of being hard on crime. The editorial states the issue clearly at the start and quickly attacks the politician’s approach to building his case. The editorial uses strong, direct language that leaves no doubt where the newspaper stands, and draws from credible sources to back up its position. The editorial no doubt engaged readers on both sides of the issue and likely generated strong conversations within the community. This is an excellent example of opinion writing.”
Overall, the judge writes, “This competition proved that Canadian community newspapers are using their powerful voices to weigh in on issues that matter to their readers, and to the country itself. It was great to see the newspapers that entered this competition taking stands on vital issues, stating their arguments well and backing them up with solid information. The papers that entered this competition are clearly leaders in the communities and continue to provide strong leadership.”
Mr. Erskine also grabbed a first place in the best spot news photo category for his April 24, 2024 front-page photo of the Sheguiandah First Nation Anglican church arson fire. “Excellent photo! That’s a precise shot!” the judge writes.
Mr. Erskine has been on a roll of late with his award-winning editorials, winning best local editorial nationally in 2024 and for best national editorial in 2023. On the provincial level, he also won first place for his editorial in 2023.
“A big congratulations to you, Mike,” said Expositor publisher Alicia McCutcheon. “Clearly, you are very good at what you do and we couldn’t be more proud. Way to go!”
