CANWEST TAKES the CORPORATE BOOTS to LOCAL PUBLISHER PETER BALLARD

Oldtown News
Vancouver, BC

CANWEST TAKES the CORPORATE BOOTS to LOCAL PUBLISHER PETER BALLARD

Canwest, the global media giant has taken the boots to local Vancouver Courier Publisher and former owner, Mr. Peter Ballard. Canwest has stated that they wish to take the paper in a new direction and Mr. Ballard didn't fit in with the new plans.

Mr. Ballard has been with the Courier for thirty years. He was the owner-publisher for these 30 years and was known for his journalistic integrity and vision. He was widely known for supporting good journalism and under his leadership, many a Courier journalist received numerous writing awards. This is a testament to Mr. Ballard and his love of journalism.

This year the Courier will be celebrating 100 years and Canwest taking the corporate boots to Mr. Ballard puts a blemish on what would have been an otherwise momentous occasion and celebration.

This past summer for the gay Pride festivities, I had an opportunity to meet with Mr. Ballard. The Courier in honour of its upcoming 100 year history put together a float 'dominating the news' and I was asked to create the look for the Vancouver Courier staff and Mr. Ballard.

He was such a joy to work with. He was extremely polite, welcoming and extremely patient, while I worked my creativity. It truly was an honour being asked to create his Pride look and my time spent with him was so pleasant.

I suspect, and it appears that perhaps, Mr. Ballard wasn't in the eyes of Canwest, enough of a Corporate player and therefore he has become expendable. This is truly a shame.

I have heard that Mr. Ballard was so looking forward to the 100 year Courier anniversary and why Canwest would treat so poorly, a well respected Journalist-Publisher who made the Courier such a dominating media force and Canwest will need to address this glaring fact.

This reckless action by Canwest will not go unnoticed and I suspect, readers and I hope advertisers will let Canwest know exactly--in their profit margins--what they think.

Jamie Lee Hamilton
tricia_foxx@yahoo.com