At Documenters / Documentalistes Canada, we know that citizens are not just passive recipients of information.

Rather, citizens have the power to be active in how the news is produced and find answers to questions that help people in their community to make it a better place.

For a long time, journalists have assumed that they are experts in figuring out what information citizens may want or need. At Documenters Canada, we want community members to be part of that process. Inspired by Hearken, we help community members address this question: what does our community not know that we could help them find out and understand?

Our approach is grounded in community-centred journalism. Documenters Canada focuses on producing information “for” and “with” community members, instead of “about” them. This focus enables all of us to create, engage in and nurture collaborative relationships in the community.

By sharing power and listening to each other, we can echo diverse perspectives, which is what we need to build power in our communities.

Above all, solutions matter to us even more than problems do. How can the media be less negative, anxiety-inducing and sensationalist? Solutions-focused stories made in collaboration with community members can help citizens feel more empowered to navigate problems in their communities. 

Our first pilot project, launched in 2024, is a partnership between The Green Line and Concordia University. This project is actively documenting public meetings relevant to people in the Alexandra Park community of Toronto.  

We hope the work of Documenters Canada will inspire community members to come together to look for solutions.