The Peak is “Canada's source for fast, smart news on business, tech, and markets.” They’re seeking smart, talented writers. They’re looking for the following type of stories:
- “800-to-1,200-word stories of original business reporting with a strong Canadian angle. We are interested in stories that take on exciting and unique subject matter, or are able to make traditionally stuffy material fresh and interesting.”
- “800-to-1,200-word explainer-style pieces about ongoing international events/issues. Stories that offer clear and precise analysis of hot-button issues or under-reported world events you think are worthy of attention. This could include updates on long-running conflicts, breakdowns of foreign election results, or answering high-level economic questions.”
Rates depend on the scope and complexity of each piece, with a minimum of $0.50 per word. If interested, send your pitches to taylor@readthepeak.com. For details, refer to this page.
Canada's National Observer is an independent news site founded in 2015. They open to pitches from freelance creators. They look for entertaining, character-driven stories based on research, interviews and facts, and their areas of interest are not limited to climate change and the environment, although that's their core coverage. According to their pitch guide, their rates for assigned reporting and artwork are competitive. To learn more, refer to this page.
Cottage Life is a media brand for and about water-based cottagers. Although most of their readers are based in Ontario, they encourage stories about cottages and cottaging in other parts of Canada. They run columns and shorter features on subjects such as boating, real estate, building projects, cottage design and architecture, nature, personal cottage experience, and environmental, political, and financial issues of concern to cottagers. Payment is made on acceptance of a fully satisfactory manuscript; pay rates are not mentioned. To learn more, refer to this page.
Write is the The Writers’ Union of Canada quarterly magazine, available exclusively to their members. The magazine is valued most for its presentation of news and views from writers’ perspectives. It is filled with professional information, developments in the literary community, industry news, timely features, and valuable industry services. They welcome pitches from TWUC members and non-members alike who are Canadian citizens, newcomers, or permanent residents. According to their pitch guide, contributors are paid $0.50/word, based on the assigned word count. To learn more, refer to this page.
TravelPulse Canada features “travel industry news and videos for Canadian travel agents and travelers.” They welcome pitches from experienced freelance writers. They publish “timely travel news, destination features, trend analysis, and journalism relevant to travel professionals.” Their features and destination stories are 800 to 1,000 words. According to their pitch guide, pay is $250 CDN. If interested, direct your pitches to mail@travelpulse.ca. To learn more, refer to this page.
New Feeling is “a cooperative of music journalists and community enthusiastically covering the sounds across so-called Canada.” They like people-centred stories, and ones that bring attention to community-wide issues. They like stories about artists in so-called Canada outside Toronto/Montreal/Vancouver, and stories that have a point of view.” According to their pitch guide, pay is $200 for reported features/artist profiles (up to 1,500 words). For details, refer to their pitch guide.
The Maple is a 100% reader-funded publication featuring Canadian news and perspectives that challenge the status quo. They have two sections: news and opinion. They accept pitches for both these sections. According to their pitch guide, news stories (usually 1,500 words) pay $500 CAD, shorter opinion pieces (700-1,200 words) pay $260 CAD, and more in-depth analysis articles (1,500-2,000 words) pay $450 CAD. When a piece is assigned and rejected without any request for revision, they pay 50% of the agreed upon fee. To learn more, refer to this page.
The Sask Dispatch is a Saskatchewan-focused news publication by Briarpatch Magazine. They publish “articles about Saskatchewan on a range of topics, including provincial and municipal elections, grassroots activism, Indigenous rights, arts and culture, economic justice, ecology, gender equity, harm reduction, and more.” They welcome pitches from anyone with a story to tell. According to their pitch guide, rates are $100 for profiles, short essays, and reviews (less than 1,000 words); $200 for feature stories (1,000-1,500 words) and photo essays; and $300 for research-based articles and investigative reportage (1,500-2,000 words). To learn more, refer to this page.
IMPACT Magazine is a source of health, sports, and fitness information for Canada. The articles that they publish are provided mostly by experts in the health, fitness, and sports performance industries. The length of the articles varies. Department stories tend to range from 400 words to 1,500 words. According to an old tweet by one of their editors, they pay 0.40 per word. For more details, refer to their writer’s guidelines.
IndigiNews is an Indigenous news platform covering Indigenous communities in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley and Vancouver Island. They focus on relationship building, uplifting storytelling, and holding colonial institutions accountable. They welcome news, stories, features, investigations, and photo essays. According to their pitch guide, they pay $250 to $750 per story (500 to 2,000 words).