A plane crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport, a scandal at Hockey Canada, Sasquatch sightings in British Columbia, and the election of a new American president have recently made headlines in Canada.
Ian Austen, an Ottawa-based reporter for The New York Times, has been covering significant stories and events in Canada for nearly two decades. Much of his work is featured in the Canada Letter, a weekly newsletter he established in 2016.
His recent coverage includes Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to step down, the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States, and President Trump's controversial remarks about potentially annexing Canada as the 51st state. Austen remarked, “We’ve never had a situation in which the president of the country that is Canada’s closest ally — its biggest economic trading partner — is going around denigrating Canada’s right to exist.”
In a recent conversation, Austen discussed his approach to news coverage and his career at The Times. He explained that news is often straightforward, such as when Trump announced a 25 percent tariff. However, enterprise stories, which include profiles and in-depth features, can be more subjective. He mentioned a personal project photographing remaining pay phones in Canada, which is evolving into a visual story.
Austen highlighted that The Times has increased its focus on Canada since 2016, partly due to the country being a significant source of subscribers outside the U.S. This effort led to the creation of the Canada Letter, which summarizes Canada-related articles for a Canadian audience, allowing for a more tailored approach to reporting.
He identified geography and access to information as major challenges in covering Canada. Limited flights can result in lengthy travel times, and public information is often less accessible compared to the United States due to various privacy laws and regulations. This makes it difficult to obtain timely information from public servants and law enforcement.
One of Austen's proudest achievements at The Times was reporting on the story of Indigenous residential schools in Canada, which he considers vital for both Canadians and the global community. He noted the shocking revelations in 2021 when Indigenous communities reported findings of unmarked graves of children at these schools, which were primarily run by the Catholic Church.
When asked about stories he wishes to pursue, Austen expressed interest in covering more topics in the Arctic and traveling across Canada by train, particularly to highlight how remote communities rely on this mode of transport for essential services.