Ottawa Journal
Encyclopedia
The Ottawa Journal was a daily broadsheet
newspaper published in Ottawa
, Ontario
from 1885 to 1980.
It was founded in 1885 by A. Woodburn as the Ottawa Evening Journal. Its first editor was John Wesley Dafoe
who came from the Winnipeg Free Press
. In 1886, it was bought by Philip Dansken Ross
.
The paper began publishing a morning edition in 1917. In 1919, the paper's publishers bought the Ottawa Free Press. The former owner of that paper, E. Norman Smith, then became editor with Grattan O'Leary
.
In 1959, it was bought by F.P. Publications. By this time, the Journal, whose readers tended to come from rural areas, was trailing the Ottawa Citizen
, its main competitor. The paper encountered labour problems during the 1970s and never really recovered.
In 1980, it was bought by Thomson Newspapers
and was closed on 27 August 1980. This left Southam Newspapers's Ottawa Citizen
as the only major English language newspaper in Ottawa (Le Droit
remaining the only French language daily newspaper in Ottawa).
The closure aroused considerable controversy at the time, as a day later, Southam closed the Winnipeg Tribune
, primary rival to Thomson's Winnipeg Free Press
. Concern over these incidents prompted the federal government to conduct the Royal Commission on Newspapers
, commonly known as the Kent Commission.
To many, it seemed that possibly illegal collusion to reduce competition had occurred. Although charges were brought against both Southam and Thomson in April 1981 under the now-defunct Combines Investigation Act
, alleging a breach of section 33 of that act, through merger or monopolistic conduct], they were dismissed on 9 December 1983.
Ottawa went without a second major newspaper until the debut of the Ottawa Sun
in 1987.
The paper's politics were generally regarded as Conservative
.
Broadsheet
Broadsheet is the largest of the various newspaper formats and is characterized by long vertical pages . The term derives from types of popular prints usually just of a single sheet, sold on the streets and containing various types of material, from ballads to political satire. The first broadsheet...
newspaper published in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
from 1885 to 1980.
It was founded in 1885 by A. Woodburn as the Ottawa Evening Journal. Its first editor was John Wesley Dafoe
John Wesley Dafoe
John Wesley Dafoe was a Canadian journalist and Liberal. From 1901 to 1944 he was the editor of the Manitoba Free Press, later named the Winnipeg Free Press. He also wrote several books, including a biography of Wilfrid Laurier. Dafoe was one of the country's most influential and powerful...
who came from the Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg Free Press
The Winnipeg Free Press is a daily broadsheet newspaper in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Founded in 1872, as the Manitoba Free Press, it is the oldest newspaper in western Canada. It is the newspaper with the largest readership in the province....
. In 1886, it was bought by Philip Dansken Ross
Philip Dansken Ross
Philip Dansken Ross was a Canadian journalist, newspaper publisher, sportsman and ice hockey pioneer builder....
.
The paper began publishing a morning edition in 1917. In 1919, the paper's publishers bought the Ottawa Free Press. The former owner of that paper, E. Norman Smith, then became editor with Grattan O'Leary
Grattan O'Leary
Michael Grattan O'Leary was a journalist, publisher and a member of the Canadian Senate.He was born in Percé, in the Gaspé, Quebec on February 19, 1888. He spent two years at sea before entering journalism with the St. John Standard. He began work at the Ottawa Journal in 1911. He later became...
.
In 1959, it was bought by F.P. Publications. By this time, the Journal, whose readers tended to come from rural areas, was trailing the Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa Citizen
The Ottawa Citizen is an English-language daily newspaper owned by Postmedia Network in Ottawa, Canada. According to the Canadian Newspaper Association, the paper had a 2008 weekly circulation of 900,197.- History :...
, its main competitor. The paper encountered labour problems during the 1970s and never really recovered.
In 1980, it was bought by Thomson Newspapers
Thomson Corporation
The Thomson Corporation was one of the world's largest information companies.Thomson was active in financial services, healthcare sectors, law, science & technology research, and tax & accounting sectors...
and was closed on 27 August 1980. This left Southam Newspapers's Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa Citizen
The Ottawa Citizen is an English-language daily newspaper owned by Postmedia Network in Ottawa, Canada. According to the Canadian Newspaper Association, the paper had a 2008 weekly circulation of 900,197.- History :...
as the only major English language newspaper in Ottawa (Le Droit
Le Droit
Le Droit is a Canadian daily newspaper, published in Ottawa, Canada. Initially established and owned by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the paper was has been published by Gesca since 2000.-History:...
remaining the only French language daily newspaper in Ottawa).
The closure aroused considerable controversy at the time, as a day later, Southam closed the Winnipeg Tribune
Winnipeg Tribune
The Winnipeg Tribune was a metropolitan daily newspaper serving Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada from January 28, 1890 to August 27, 1980. The paper was founded by R.L. Richardson and D.L. McIntyre who acquired the press and premises of the old Winnipeg Sun newspaper. It was often viewed as a liberal...
, primary rival to Thomson's Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg Free Press
The Winnipeg Free Press is a daily broadsheet newspaper in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Founded in 1872, as the Manitoba Free Press, it is the oldest newspaper in western Canada. It is the newspaper with the largest readership in the province....
. Concern over these incidents prompted the federal government to conduct the Royal Commission on Newspapers
Royal Commission on Newspapers
The Royal Commission on Newspapers, popularly known as the Kent Commission, was a Canadian Royal Commission chaired by Tom Kent. It was created in 1980 in response to growing concerns over concentration of media ownership in Canada...
, commonly known as the Kent Commission.
To many, it seemed that possibly illegal collusion to reduce competition had occurred. Although charges were brought against both Southam and Thomson in April 1981 under the now-defunct Combines Investigation Act
Combines Investigation Act
The Combines Investigation Act was a Canadian Act of Parliament, implemented in 1910, passed in 1923 by MacKenzie King, which regulated certain corporate business practices that were anti-competitive. It prohibited monopolies, misleading advertising, bid-rigging, price fixing, and other means of...
, alleging a breach of section 33 of that act, through merger or monopolistic conduct], they were dismissed on 9 December 1983.
Ottawa went without a second major newspaper until the debut of the Ottawa Sun
Ottawa Sun
The Ottawa Sun is a daily tabloid newspaper in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is published by Sun Media. It was first published in the early 1980s as the Ottawa Sunday Herald, until it was acquired by Toronto Sun Publishing Corporation in 1988....
in 1987.
The paper's politics were generally regarded as Conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
.