It’s easy to forget now, with headlines blaring across our feeds 24/7, that not so long ago, newspapers were the heartbeat of a community. They were how we found out who opened a new shop, who passed away, which kid scored the winning goal. But somewhere between the internet exploding and print ad revenues imploding, newspapers started folding like cheap lawn chairs—especially in smaller towns.
In Canada alone, more than 450 local news operations closed between 2008 and 2021, according to News Media Canada. It was a brutal time for anyone trying to keep community journalism alive. Which is exactly what makes the story of The Seeker so remarkable.
Right in the middle of that industry freefall, back in 2010, two determined women in Cornwall decided to launch a local publication of their own. While big players were slashing staff and shuttering newsrooms, The Seeker was born—small, scrappy, and proudly community-focused.
They started as a humble print paper, the kind you could spill your morning coffee on. It was hyperlocal before that was even a buzzword, with an unapologetic emphasis on people: the artists, entrepreneurs, fundraisers, and neighbours who make Cornwall tick. Instead of chasing car crashes and scandal, The Seeker sent its writers out to cover art openings, school fundraisers, and small business milestones. It became, in many ways, a love letter to the community.
Launching a paper during a period when giants were failing was downright risky—some might even say nuts. But that gamble paid off because The Seeker didn’t try to copy what was already failing. They rewrote the script. They built relationships, highlighted the good, and provided a platform where everyday people could see themselves.
When digital inevitably took over, The Seeker didn’t fade into oblivion. They evolved. Theseeker.ca became more than just a mirror of their print edition—it’s now a lively hub where Cornwall residents can find local stories, event listings, and even cheeky opinion pieces that tackle bigger issues through a distinctly local lens.
What’s striking is how The Seeker has stayed genuinely local in a world where many so-called “community sites” are actually run by distant corporations. They’ve stuck to their roots, operating right here in Cornwall, employing local people, collaborating with local writers and photographers, and being present. It’s not uncommon to see them out in person snapping photos at Ribfest, covering new store openings on Pitt Street, or popping by small fundraisers.
That consistency—being there year after year, chronicling both the mundane and the monumental—has earned The Seeker a level of trust and familiarity that’s hard to replicate. They’ve shone a spotlight on local artists and makers, from painters and potters to musicians and authors, helping Cornwall’s creative community find an audience right here at home. Long before “shop local” became a pandemic-driven rallying cry, The Seeker was introducing readers to new cafés, boutiques, and services, encouraging people to keep their dollars in the community.
They’ve also made it a mission to cover what I like to call the good stuff: the fundraisers, sports victories, student achievements, and the many unsung heroes who quietly make Cornwall better. And while many outlets chase crime and scandal, The Seeker has carved out a niche celebrating what’s right in the world—without shying away from tough issues either. Through editorials and opinion columns, they’ve tackled everything from healthcare woes to housing struggles, always circling back to how these problems hit home for Cornwall residents.
So here we are, fifteen years after The Seeker started as a gamble during a dark time for print. While many of the big dailies that were around back then have either vanished or become hollow shells of themselves (just look at the sorry state of some Postmedia papers), The Seeker is still standing. Actually, scratch that—it’s thriving.
That’s not just a feel-good story. It’s a reminder that when you focus on people—really focus on them—good things happen. Even in an era that was supposed to spell doom for newspapers, a little paper from Cornwall proved it could defy the odds, redefine what local news looks like, and show the rest of us how community journalism can still be done right.
“In an age where most papers are shrinking or vanishing, The Seeker keeps growing—because it never stopped putting Cornwall first.”
— Julia Lucio, Managing Editor