A handful of media giants heavily dominate the news in Canada, and free ones are pretty hard to come by.
Longstanding publications such as The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, National Post, and Vancouver Sun have been around for a long time and charge a digital subscription fee for their content or sell their physical publications at a cost.
In today’s post, we’re going to go over some of the best free newspapers in Canada.
Free newspapers are more community-based and are usually focused on a specific topic.
But there are also some digital ones that operate without a paywall and cover national and international news, which we’ll go over below.
Best Free Newspapers in Canada 2022 (Print Version)
1. The Source/La Source
The Source is a bilingual and intercultural news outlet running since 1999. Labeling themselves as the “Forum for Diversity,” they cover various topics that aim to serve communities and assist people in understanding and communicating with each other.
They operate in both French and English and publish bi-weekly.
You can check them out online (where you can also download a free PDF copy of their most recent publication) or, if you prefer an old-school paper copy, pick up print versions at independently owned cafes, community centres, public libraries, universities and government buildings throughout the Lower Mainland in British Columbia.
Publication frequency: Bi-weekly
Cost: Free
Language: English and French
Location: British Columbia, Lower Mainland
Website: here
2. The Georgia Straight
The Georgia Straight is Canada’s largest urban weekly publication. They have been running in Vancouver for more than 50 years and are an integral part of this city’s news, arts, and entertainment scene. If you have ever lived in Vancouver, I’m sure you have picked up this free newspaper at one point or another.
The Georgia Straight runs the reader-voted “Best of Vancouver” poll every October and the Golden Plate Awards every March, which lists Metro Vancouver’s favourite restaurants as chosen by the publication’s readers. These are classic for locals and tourists alike.
Publication frequency: Weekly (every Thursday)
Cost: Free
Language: English
Location: British Columbia (distributed in Vancouver, Burnaby, North and West Vancouver, New Westminster, and Richmond)
Website: here
3. The Canadian Immigrant
This monthly newspaper/magazine is published to inform, educate, and motivate current and aspiring Canadian immigrants in their new journey.
They cover topics such as careers and education, money and business, settlement, and culture. If you like to listen to your news, they also have a podcast!
Publication frequency: Monthly
Cost: Free
Language: English
Location: National
Website: here
4. The Varsity
The Varsity has been The University of Toronto’s student newspaper since 1880. Their weekly print is available across the U of T campus on Mondays and has included the work of some distinguished alumni such as William Lyon Mackenzie King, Naomi Klein, Linda McQuaig, and Bob Rae.
Publication frequency: Weekly
Cost: Free
Language: English
Location: Ontario
Website: here
5. The Ubyssey
The Ubyssey has been the University of British Columbia’s student-run newspaper since 1918. Published every Tuesday during the school year, it is the largest student paper in Western Canada. They cover student issues, raise awareness on youth-related topics, and advocate for student values.
Publication frequency: Weekly (every Tuesday excluding the summer months)
Cost: Free
Language: English
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Website: here
Best Free Digital Newspapers in Canada 2024
Much like banking, the news is increasingly moving toward the digital realm. Here are the best complimentary digital newspapers in Canada.
6. Rabble
Rabble.ca provides Canadians with free and unbiased journalism as an independent and community-driven organization. They report on national politics, environment, activism, labour, and Indigenous topics.
Publication frequency: Ongoing, digital
Cost: Free
Language: English
Location: Canada
Website: here
7. The Guardian
The Guardian is one of the only major publications in the world that operate without a paywall. They’re actually based in Britain, but their content covers international and local news and can be accessed worldwide.
Running since 1821, they’re pioneers in ethical reporting and continue to pave the way in fearless and investigative journalism.
Publication frequency: Ongoing, digital
Cost: Free
Language: English
Location: UK, Worldwide
Website: here
8. The Tyee
The Tyee is a Canadian, paywall-free publication. Their reporting is independent, reader-funded, and focused on fact-driven stories, reporting, and analysis that inform the Canadian democratic conversation.
Based out of British Columbia, they cover all things BC and Canada.
Publication frequency: Ongoing, digital
Cost: Free
Language: English
Location: Canada
Website: here
What is Canada’s national newspaper?
The Globe and Mail is widely considered as Canada’s national newspaper. It is one of the largest and most read newspapers in the country and has a nationwide distribution. It is often referred to as Canada’s “newspaper of record”.
The newspaper is based in Toronto, but it is distributed across Canada and has a significant readership nationwide. It covers a wide range of topics, including national and international news, politics, business and economics, culture, sports, and more.
The Globe and Mail is well-regarded for its in-depth analysis and investigative journalism. It has been recognized with numerous national and international awards for its reporting. It also includes commentary and opinion pieces from a variety of voices and is often viewed as leaning toward the centre or slightly right-of-centre in its editorial stance.
In addition to its print edition, The Globe and Mail has a strong online presence with its digital edition, which includes exclusive web content, videos, and interactive features. Its investigative journalism often spans across both its print and digital editions.
Conclusion
Although becoming rarer by the year, those were the eight best free news outlets in Canada. You can save money and contribute to your financial goals even quicker by reading them instead of those that cost you money.
Like free stuff? Check out this post on the 47 Best Birthday Freebies In Canada or the 8 Free Streaming TV Options In Canada.
