The Investigative Journalism Bureau (IJB) and Unifor are proud to celebrate five years of partnership in supporting the next generation of investigative journalists through the IJB/Unifor Summer Internship Program. Since its launch in 2021, this initiative has provided young reporters with the opportunity to conduct in-depth research and reporting on major public interest issues, including environmental hazards, healthcare disparities, and the systemic challenges faced by First Nations communities.
Each year, two interns are selected for this prestigious four-month summer program, which offers a highly competitive salary of $13,000. Interns gain hands-on experience contributing to award-winning journalism that informs and engages the public.
“The IJB is honored to continue our partnership with Unifor, an organization that has been instrumental in ensuring the sustainability of investigative journalism in Canada. This program is making an incredible impact, not only on the careers of emerging journalists but also on the quality of investigative reporting in this country,” said IJB founder and director Rob Cribb.
Since its inception, the IJB/Unifor summer interns have contributed to groundbreaking projects including a joint IJB/Toronto Star investigation into illegal health and beauty products. The work of 2023 summer intern Alina Snisarenko led to the removal of hundreds of unapproved and potentially unsafe products from store shelves across Canada. Most recently, a comprehensive analysis of the IJB’s lead contamination database by 2024 summer intern Rhythm Sachdeva exposed significant health risks in Ottawa schools and daycares.
The program has also paved the way for long-term careers in investigative journalism. Masih Khalatbari, a 2021 IJB/Unifor summer intern, has since joined the IJB full-time, contributing to major investigations on radon exposure in Canadian homes, clinical trials oversight, and medically assisted death through documentary and podcast storytelling.
As the program hits this milestone, both the IJB and Unifor remain committed to fostering the future of investigative journalism in Canada.
“Journalism is the cornerstone of democracy and Canadians would be lost without media workers holding the richest and most powerful to account,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Unifor is proud to continue supporting the prestigious IJB program in order to give more journalists the opportunities and tools to pursue, investigate and uncover the truth, and breathe oxygen into these important stories.”
The IJB/Unifor summer internship program runs from May to August. The call for applications for the 2025 summer fellowships are now open. To learn more about how you can apply or help support this initiative visit, ijb.utoronto.ca.
The Investigative Journalism Bureau is a non-profit, impact-driven newsroom telling deeply-reported stories in the public interest.
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