Can we talk about the future of Beach Metro Community News?

As of March 1, Beach Metro Community News entered its 55th year of telling the stories that matter in our community.

For more than five decades, advertising has played a major role in making this possible. Today, advertising alone is no longer enough to support local news.

That’s why we’re asking readers to step up and become Beach Metro Supporters.

On the front page of our March 17 edition, we asked: Can we talk? Now, here’s what’s at stake.

Beach Metro reports on the issues that shape our community — elections, development proposals, neighbourhood meetings, school boards, health care, education and community events.

If local reporters aren’t there to ask questions and keep track of what’s happening, important neighbourhood stories can easily be overlooked. As our front page states: if we do not show up, ask questions and hold decision-makers accountable, what gets missed?

Supporting Beach Metro also helps train the next generation of journalists. It has always been an important part of what we do.

Students regularly join our newsroom from Centennial College, Carleton University, Toronto Metropolitan University, Seneca Polytechnic, Malvern Collegiate Institute and Notre Dame Catholic High School. They gain hands-on experience reporting stories, interviewing sources and learning how a community newsroom works.

Several have gone on to work in professional newsrooms, including the Toronto Star, CBC — and right here in our newsroom.

What happens next for your local newspaper depends on readers like you.

To keep the conversation going, we’re inviting you to join us for Beach Metro Café Day on Sunday, March 29, at Judy’s Beach Café from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Stop by for a free coffee, meet the people behind your local paper and talk with us about the future of community journalism.

There are three easy ways to support Beach Metro right now:

Online:
Visit www.beachmetro.com/support-us or click the Support Us button at the top of the page.

By mail or e-transfer:
Beach Metro Community News
2196 Gerrard St. E.
Toronto, ON M4E 2C7

E-transfer: hope@beachmetro.com
(Include “DONATION” in the memo.)

Check out what a few of your neighbours have to say about the future of community news. Follow please us on Instagram and TikTok for the latest posts, and thank you to everyone who helps us keep going throughout the year.

Thank you for your support, Thomas Craig!