Canada Scene (canadascene.org) is an independent Canadian digital news and culture publisher owned and operated by Northern Beacon Media Inc., an Ontario corporation (Ontario Business Registry number 1003194827). Our fact-checking policy is overseen by Editor-in-Chief Catherine Roy and implemented daily by Standards & Fact-Checking Lead Andrew Leblanc. This policy sets out what we verify, how we prioritise sources, how we handle unverified information, and how we correct mistakes.
Who is responsible for fact-checking at Canada Scene?
Standards & Fact-Checking Lead Andrew Leblanc oversees all fact-checking and source verification at Canada Scene. He reports to Editor-in-Chief Catherine Roy, who has final authority over publication decisions and corrections. Every article is also reviewed by an editor before publication, and the named writer is accountable for the accuracy of their reporting.
Andrew Leblanc works with the full editorial team to ensure verification standards are applied consistently. He also trains staff on source hierarchy, conducts random audits of published content, and leads the review of any article flagged as sensitive by editors or through reader reports.
What does Canada Scene verify?
Canada Scene verifies every factual claim in every article we publish, including statistics, names, dates, quotes, and references to public documents or reports. We do not publish assertions without confirmation from at least one reliable source, and we aim to corroborate each claim with a second independent source whenever possible.
Our verification scope covers all editorial content — news, politics, business, technology, community stories, and culture. Sponsored or commercial content is clearly labelled and subject to the same fact-checking standards when it includes factual assertions, though such material is never used to determine editorial conclusions. We also verify metadata, headlines, and summaries.
How do we prioritise sources?
Canada Scene uses a clear hierarchy of sources, with primary documents and official records ranked highest. Our full source hierarchy is detailed at /sources/. We rely on government data, court records, academic studies, direct interviews with named sources, and on-the-record statements from officials and experts.
Anonymous sources are used only in exceptional cases where the information is of clear public interest and cannot be obtained on the record. When anonymous sources are used, the reason is explained to readers, and the editorial team reviews the trustworthiness of the source before publication. We distinguish between verified information and attribution to a specific source in every article.
How do we handle rumours and unverified information?
Canada Scene labels any unconfirmed or rumoured information clearly as such and does not present it as fact. We avoid amplifying speculation unless it is newsworthy and attributed to named, on-the-record sources. Rumours that are circulating publicly may be reported only when the fact that they exist is itself newsworthy, and we explicitly note that they remain unverified.
Andrew Leblanc reviews any article that references unverified claims before publication. If a rumour later proves false, we publish a correction or clarification as described in our /corrections-policy/. Our editorial team also monitors for false information shared about our own reporting and will issue statements as needed.
What role does the Standards Lead play in sensitive articles?
Andrew Leblanc, as Standards & Fact-Checking Lead, reviews all sensitive articles — those involving legal matters, allegations of wrongdoing, financial harm, health risks, or vulnerable individuals — before they are published. He assesses the reliability of sources, the completeness of verification, and whether any additional steps are needed to protect subjects or readers.
This review is separate from the regular editorial review by the assigning editor or section editor. In cases of high public interest or potential reputational harm, Andrew Leblanc may consult with Editor-in-Chief Catherine Roy or external experts. Sensitive articles are never published without his sign-off, and any subsequent corrections to such articles are handled with particular care.
How can readers report a potential fact-check issue?
Readers can report any suspected error or unverified claim by emailing factcheck@canadascene.org. Our Standards Lead reviews every report and determines whether a correction is warranted. We encourage readers to include supporting evidence, such as links, screenshots, or references to original sources.
All reports are acknowledged within two business days. If a report leads to a correction, we note the reader’s contribution in the correction notice unless they request anonymity. Reports that do not identify a specific error but raise general concerns are also reviewed and passed to the relevant editor for consideration in future coverage.
How does Canada Scene correct mistakes?
When we confirm an error, we issue a correction as outlined in our /corrections-policy/. The correction is appended to the original article, noted visibly at the top or bottom, and logged for transparency. We aim to correct within 24 hours of confirmation, and all corrections are reviewed by Andrew Leblanc.
Corrections distinguish between factual errors, omissions, and clarifications. If an error is significant — such as a misattributed quote or a wrong statistic — we also publish a separate correction notice on our home page or relevant section. We do not delete articles without explanation; any retraction will be clearly marked and linked to a replacement or explanation.
Where can I find related policies?
Our broader editorial standards, including source verification, bias awareness, and ethics, are detailed in our /editorial-policy/. Our full team and their roles are listed at /our-team/. For complaints about fact-checking or verification, please see our /complaints-procedure/. This fact-checking policy is part of Canada Scene’s commitment to transparency and accuracy, and it works alongside our /ai-automation-policy/ which governs the use of digital tools in editorial production.
Our commitments
- We verify every factual claim before publication, using a documented hierarchy of sources and cross-checking where possible.
- We correct errors promptly and transparently, appending corrections to the original article and noting them in a public log.
- We clearly label rumours and unverified information, never presenting speculation as established fact.
- We subject sensitive articles to mandatory review by our Standards Lead before publication, with additional safeguards for vulnerable subjects.
- We welcome reader reports via factcheck@canadascene.org and act on them in a timely, documented manner.