The Victoria Times Colonist has been named the winner of the 2011 Michener Award. The Glacier-owned daily newspaper was honoured for its investigative coverage of a B.C. government policy that reduced support for people with developmental disabilities. The paper’s extensive reporting on the issue resulted in the reversal of government policy, a substantial increase in financial support for those with developmental disabilities, and administrative changes in the ministry of social development and Community Living B.C.
The award was presented to Times Colonist columnist Les Leyne by the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, during an awards gala in Ottawa on June 12. Citations of Merit were presented to the Canadian Broadcasting Company, The Globe and Mail, La Presse, Toronto Star and The Windsor Star.
The two winners of the 2012 Michener-Deacon Fellowships were also honoured during the ceremony.