Their Excellencies Michaëlle Jean and Jean-Daniel Lafond with the editorial staff of the Toronto Star, a finalist for the 2008 Michener Award – photo taken following a ceremony at Rideau Hall on June 10, 2009.
The Toronto Star received a Citation of Merit for an investigation into the high level of lead in toys being sold in Canada that resulted in the largest series of product recalls in Canadian history.
Seated L to R: Reporter David Bruser; Governor General Michaëlle Jean; His Excellency, Jean-Daniel Lafond and Reporter Kevin Donovan.
Standing L to R: Toronto Star Publisher, John Cruickshank and Editor Michael Cooke.
The first award covered the calendar year 1970. Since then, a rich variety of news organizations have had their names inscribed on Michener trophies – print and broadcast, large and small, French and English, East and West. The Michener was also the first national journalism award open to both broadcast and print media. The award goes to the news organization itself, rather than the individual journalists involved in the story.