Police execute search warrants at a medical building in relation to the AHS scandal in Edmonton in March. The story was reported on by The Globe's Carrie Tait.JASON FRANSON/The Globe and Mail
Globe and Mail reporter Carrie Tait, whose dogged pursuit of a spending scandal in Alberta forced her to endure taunts by a cabinet minister and reputational attacks by a self-described political fixer, has been named journalist of the year by the National Newspaper Association.
Ms. Tait also won in the politics category and as the lead reporter for a team entry in the investigation category.
The Globe won eight categories at Friday night’s National Newspaper Awards, the most in total. Stories receiving recognition included a sustained series tracking how measles has made a comeback in Canada and for reporting from Syria.
The Canadian Press won the second-most awards with four.
“It was a thrilling evening and everyone at The Globe is delighted to have come out on top with a range of original and important work,” Globe editor-in-chief David Walmsley said.
Globe and Mail reporter Carrie Tait.The Globe and Mail
“Awarding Carrie Tait, deservedly, as journalist of the year, the judges rightly said Ms. Tait did not retreat in the face of a campaign of intimidation and threat. That determination, that the truth will come out, is the essence of The Globe and Mail. Brave, independent journalism that stands alone.”
In citing Ms. Tait’s work, the NNA judges noted that her coverage of Alberta politics “stood apart as a model of investigative rigour and personal fortitude.”
“Her reporting did more than chronicle events: it altered the province’s political landscape, triggering real consequences and forcing accountability at the highest levels of government.”
Ms. Tait is among a team of reporters who spent more than a year reporting on allegations of political interference tied to hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of contracts awarded by the Alberta government to an Edmonton businessman; Sam Mraiche.
The Globe’s winning entry in the investigative category included work by Ms. Tait, Tom Cardoso, Mark MacKinnon, Stephanie Chambers and Alanna Smith.
The Globe and Mail leads in National Newspaper Awards nominations
Premier Danielle Smith and her ministers have maintained that they did nothing wrong. The government dismissed a former health CEO, who first raised the allegations, as incompetent and suggested critics are simply opposed to health reform.
The allegations have since prompted investigations by the RCMP – which executed search warrants last month, including at Mr. Mraiche’s company – and the Alberta Auditor-General.
The NNA news release announcing the award winners noted that Ms. Tait “was subjected to a sustained campaign of intimidation, including a lawsuit, stalking, surveillance and harassment.”
“Tait did not retreat,” the judges said. “She continued to report with discipline, precision and restraint, navigating personal risk with a professionalism that has inspired colleagues across the profession.”
Reporters Nathan VanderKlippe, Alanna Smith, Grant Robertson and Kelly Grant won the NNA for sustained news coverage for The Globe’s work tracking how measles has made a comeback in Canada. The Globe’s coverage included a story that brought readers to New Brunswick, Texas and Thailand to trace the origins of the Canadian outbreak, as well as stories that looked at the link between falling vaccine rates and Canada losing its elimination status for the disease.
Globe international correspondent Mark MacKinnon won for his reporting on Syria in the post-Assad era. He spoke to Syrians about their futures, their anger over the new rulers and continuing violence. Judges said the work offered “important insights.”
Members of the new Syrian security forces ride their vehicle in a market in the old city of Damascus, Syria, in February, 2025.Asmaa Waguih/The Globe and Mail
Lindsay Jones and Patrick White won in the explanatory category for their in-depth reporting on forever chemicals found in Newfoundland communities, but also in communities across the country. The work raised questions about why authorities hadn’t done more to alert residents of the possible dangers. Judges described the piece as “the epitome of exceptional explanatory journalism.”
Ottawa political columnist Shannon Proudfoot was awarded for her long feature on Mark Carney. The profile, judges said, avoided the risks of the mundane and obvious. “Proudfoot’s clear, evocative language and excellent analysis” created a “vivid” portrait of the new Prime Minister.
Michael de Adder was recognized in the illustrated commentary category for his political drawings depicting the impact of the Trump presidency. Judges described it as “truly memorable satire that felt fresh and provocative.”
The National Newspaper Association said judges considered a total of 927 entries published in 2025 from 77 news organizations.
The Nunatsiaq News won its first award for a section published in English and Inuktitut. The work showcased the impact of the James Bay hydroelectric project and judges said “unflinchingly” looked at one of the most complex Indigenous land-claim settlements in Canada.
The Canadian Press won project of the year for extensive coverage from the Ring of Fire in Northern Ontario. A CP photographer and reporter spent months producing a sweeping, multimedia project exploring the issues, the landscape and the people.
Other winners included the Toronto Star and La Presse, each with three wins. Ten other publications each had a win.