Reporter Prithi Yelata accepts a 1999 Michener Citation of Merit award from Governor General Adrienne Clarkson on behalf of The Record.
The Kitchener-Waterloo newspaper was honoured for 42 news stories which cut through a wall of silence, showing mishandling of a public health issue and establishing that 17 flu deaths occurred in a single Kitchener nursing home. The paper successfully called for a coroner’s inquest whose 25 recommendations included making flu shots mandatory for all staff and residents of long-term care facilities.
The award was presented during a ceremony held at Rideau Hall, Ottawa, April 10, 2000.
Each year, the Governor General has honoured Michener Award and Fellowship winners at a Government House ceremony. Each of Roland Michener’s successors has graciously adopted and maintained a personal interest in the Michener Awards Foundation and its commitment to Canadian journalism excellence.