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Behind the Reporting: Detained while documenting dog-breeding operation
Pictures tell a story. Sometimes, the process of gathering them is a story in itself. Over the past three months, I’ve been working on a cross-border investigative project examining the little-known purpose-bred dog breeding industry in the U.S. These large-scale breeders specialize in supplying dogs to scientific researchers for experimentation in the development of drugs and… Read more
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INSIGHTS: The Supreme Court has a chance to protect women with disabilities who suffer from coercive control
Ena Chadha is a senior human rights lawyer, educator, investigator and mediator and Chair of the Human Rights Legal Support Centre. Ena served as co-counsel to DisAbled Women’s Network of Canada in presenting DAWN’s intervener case before the Supreme Court of Canada in Ahulwalia v. Ahulwalia. An upcoming Supreme Court of Canada ruling could reshape… Read more
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Behind the reporting: What’s at stake in Canadian transparency tussles
One of the best ways to lose friends at a party is to bring up freedom-of-information legislation. Try it the next time you want to escape an awkward social interaction. “Oh, that is so interesting. It makes me think of my last access-to-information request.” If that doesn’t work, just add, “And can you believe what… Read more
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Two major Ontario hospital labs bought research dogs from U.S. breeder with troubled past
At least two Canadian hospital research labs have imported dogs for scientific research from a U.S. breeder cited for repeated animal care violations, the Investigative Journalism Bureau has found. The University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto, which says it no longer uses dogs for research, and the Lawson Health Research Institute in London, Ont., which recently shut… Read more
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Ontario given failing grade for high levels of lead in drinking water: report
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has a problem with dangerous levels of lead in drinking water at some of its schools, according to a new report from the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA). More than 100 samples of drinking water from OCDSB school taps exceeded the provincial lead maximum in 2024/25, according to the report. And, using Health Canada’s even more… Read more
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NDAs to hush up alleged sexual misconduct are under fire. ‘I can’t agree to this’
Ashley Chand spent more than a decade working her way up through the ranks of human resources and administration positions at some of Vancouver’s most prestigious law firms. When she landed the job of director of administration at B.C.-based litigation firm Murphy Battista in November 2022, it was a dream come true, she says. Until about… Read more
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INSIGHTS: I was nearly beaten to death with a rolling pin. Then the criminal justice system failed me
Cait Alexander is a SAG-AFTRA and ACTRA actress, musician, and multidisciplinary artist, and the founder and CEO of End Violence Everywhere (EVE), a multinational registered charity in Canada and the United States, transforming her lived experience of surviving attempted murder and systemic judicial failure into cross-border advocacy, survivor support, and institutional reform. Open, shut, open,… Read more
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The Investigative Journalism Bureau is hiring two IJB/Unifor Summer Interns
The Investigative Journalism Bureau is hiring two IJB/Unifor summer interns. As a real world investigative newsroom, the IJB offers a dynamic and enriching environment for aspiring journalists to gain hands-on experience and contribute to meaningful projects. These internships provide invaluable opportunities for individuals interested in honing their skills and conducting in-depth research. With guidance from… Read more
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Rick Westhead on the difficult truth about abuse in youth hockey
Rick Westhead nearly missed one of the most important phone calls of his career. The investigative journalist was in Europe shooting a documentary for sports broadcaster TSN. As repeated calls came in from an unknown number, he was too busy to answer. Eventually, he picked up. The voice on the other end told him he… Read more
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INSIGHTS: If we are serious about ending male violence against women, we must abandon the term “Intimate Partner Violence”
Megan Walker was the executive director of the London Abused Women’s Centre for 24 years and has worked both nationally and internationally to end male violence against women and girls. The most dangerous place for women is in their home. Unfortunately, few men are convicted of violent crimes against women. Imagine being in a marriage that… Read more
