CAOwnership & classification
Founded: 2003
Ownership
The Tyee is an independent online news magazine based in Vancouver, British Columbia, founded in November 2003 by writer and former editor David Beers as an alternative to corporate media. It is not owned by any conglomerate or party; at the start of 2022 it converted to a non-profit model and is now operated by The Tyee Independent Media Society. A separate non-profit, the Tyee Solutions Society, was created in 2009 to produce solutions-focused journalism.
Funding
Reader-supported: financed mainly by voluntary reader donations and memberships through its 'Tyee Builders' program, alongside foundation grants and limited advertising/sponsorship, rather than a paywall.
Affiliation & stance
The Tyee is an independent, reader- and donor-funded non-profit outlet free of party, corporate-conglomerate or state ownership, which makes it INDEPENDENT. Its journalism is progressive/left-leaning in outlook and focused on B.C. and Canadian public-interest reporting, but editorial control rests with its own society and its supporting readers, not an external political or commercial controller.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Left
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Leftbased on 77
79/100
Factual
71/100
Objective
111
Articles
111
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
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Quebec town of Terrasse-Vaudreuil recognizes the rights of trees
What Will Canada’s AI Strategy Mean for Jobs and Safety?
Recent coverage
West Coast oil pipeline has yet to secure private-sector backing, Carney confirms
Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that no private-sector company has yet committed to supporting Alberta's proposed West Coast oil pipeline, despite a July 1 deadline for submitting the proposal for fast-track consideration. The announcement came after The Globe and Mail reported that no private proponent had been identified. Carney emphasized that the agreement with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith included the requirement for a private-sector partner to construct and finance the pipeline, with shared ownership and benefits for Indigenous communities. Alberta had selected three energy firms—Enbridge, South Bow, and Trans Mountain—to assist with the proposal, but all have expressed reluctance due to financial risks and regulatory challenges. The proposed pipeline routes face significant opposition, particularly in British Columbia, where a federal ban on oil tanker operations remains in place.
Feds Announce Pipeline Steps, BC Advances Protected Areas
The British Columbia government has advanced plans for two new Indigenous-led protected areas in northern B.C., including the Klappan Sacred Headwaters and a proposed three-million-hectare conservancy for the Kaska First Nations. These efforts aim to preserve critical salmon habitats while balancing resource extraction. Meanwhile, the federal government reaffirmed its support for the Northern Gateway tanker ban, part of a broader agreement with B.C. that includes infrastructure investments like tunnel upgrades and port expansions. Prime Minister Mark Carney also announced a new oil pipeline route from Alberta that would parallel the existing Trans Mountain pipeline, ending near Vancouver, following a memorandum of understanding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
How Many People Are ODing in BC Hospitals? It’s Still a Mystery
The Tyee conducted a year-long investigation into overdose incidents in British Columbia hospitals using multiple freedom of information requests, but only received data from Fraser Health. The investigation revealed that hundreds of patients overdose annually at Surrey Memorial Hospital, though fatal overdoses in hospitals are rare, occurring once or twice per major hospital yearly. Doctors for Safer Drug Policy advocates argue that lack of oversight leads to hidden drug use and higher overdose risks, urging hospitals to establish overdose prevention sites. Despite calls for action, some health authorities initially dismissed the need for such sites, though the provincial government announced plans to expand them in 2025.
‘It's Going to Happen Again’
A Kamloops councillor recounts the chaos caused by the 2021 wildfires in her city, highlighting inadequate emergency preparedness and communication failures during the crisis. The article features personal accounts from British Columbia residents affected by the wildfires triggered by the extreme heatwave of 2021. These stories were collected through the Climate Disaster Project at the University of Victoria. One survivor describes the confusion and lack of clear information during the evacuation, including the failure to unlock an alternative escape route. The piece emphasizes the human impact of climate-related disasters and calls for improved disaster response planning.
B.C. nurses issue 72-hour strike notice after rejecting tentative contract offer
The British Columbia Nurses Union has issued a 72-hour strike notice following its members' rejection of a tentative contract offer. The union, representing 60,000 nurses, claims the rejection reflects growing frustration over workplace conditions, including safety concerns and staffing shortages. Members previously voted 67% against a deal offering a 12% wage increase over four years and improved benefits. Union President Adriane Gear emphasized that the strike notice signifies a profession at a 'breaking point,' with nurses feeling undervalued and unable to remain silent as colleagues face injury and burnout. Health Minister Josie Osborne acknowledged the right to collective bargaining but assured that essential healthcare services would continue. Negotiations remain significantly stalled, with the union prepared to take various forms of job action if no resolution is reached.
Some evacuations lifted as Lytton, B.C. wildfire tackled
A wildfire near Lytton, British Columbia, has prompted partial lifting of evacuation orders for some residents after fire crews established containment lines to slow its spread. The seven-square-kilometer fire, which began on Friday, was classified as out of control and led to multiple evacuation orders. By late Sunday, evacuation orders were lifted for 47 properties, though about a dozen others remained under evacuation. Over 200 properties are still under an evacuation alert, requiring residents to prepare for potential displacement. Firefighters and aircraft are focusing on protecting community perimeters, with 10 helicopters, 53 structure protection personnel, and five pieces of heavy equipment deployed. Officials noted that cooler temperatures and light winds reduced fire activity overnight, though higher temperatures are forecasted in the coming days. This fire occurs just days before the fifth anniversary of the devastating 2021 wildfire that destroyed most of Lytton and claimed two lives.
Stephanie Allen Wants to Be Vancouver’s Next Mayor
Stephanie Allen, a community leader with over two decades of experience in housing development, is running for mayor of Vancouver as part of the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE). Her background includes work with both for-profit and non-profit housing initiatives, and she has focused on addressing systemic issues affecting Vancouver's Black communities, particularly those displaced by historical urban planning decisions. Allen's academic research explored how past and present urban policies have contributed to racial displacement and how current redevelopment efforts could promote equity through affordable housing solutions. While she initially avoided politics, she joined COPE due to the urgent need for political action on housing affordability and social justice. She faces competition from other left-leaning candidates, including William Azaroff of OneCity, Pete Fry of the Greens, and others, as the city grapples with rising rents, homelessness, and inequality.
The Inquest into the Death of Tatyanna Harrison Starts This Week
A coroner’s inquest into the death of Tatyanna Harrison, a 20-year-old Indigenous woman, begins this week. Her remains were found in a marina in Richmond in 2022, nearly eight months after she went missing. The police do not classify her death as suspicious. Her family has criticized the initial coroner’s findings, which attributed her death to sepsis, and has called for an independent review. An independent pathologist, Dr. Matthew Orde, has challenged the official conclusion, suggesting the cause of death should be ruled undetermined. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of missing and deceased Indigenous individuals in Vancouver, particularly those connected to the Downtown Eastside. Two other Indigenous women—Noelle O’Soup and Chelsea Poorman—also died under mysterious circumstances, with their families demanding similar inquests.
People Are Living Shorter Lives in the Cariboo
The article recounts the story of Robert, a man who moved to Williams Lake, British Columbia, in the early 1990s seeking a simpler life. Now in his 50s, he reflects on the changes in the community while grappling with sudden health issues, including a loss of hearing that has raised concerns about his future well-being. The piece connects his personal experience to broader trends in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region, noting that life expectancy in parts of British Columbia has declined over the past two decades. It highlights the region's economic reliance on forestry and its evolving role as a retirement destination, despite ongoing challenges such as healthcare access and rising crime rates.
The Cities Where Riding the Bus Is Free
The article discusses the impact of fare-free public transit policies in Washington State, focusing on the experiences of residents like Marty Slighte, a low-income disabled individual who benefited from the zero-fare initiative introduced by Intercity Transit in 2020. It highlights that over a dozen counties across Washington have adopted fare-free bus systems, including Link Transit, Valley Transit, and Clallam Transit, which eliminated fares in 2022 and 2024 respectively. These changes aim to improve accessibility, reduce road congestion, and lower administrative costs, as fares now cover less than seven percent of operating costs. Examples include Ellensburg’s Central Transit, which became fare-free after a voter-approved sales tax increase and saw a significant rise in ridership. The policy shift reflects broader trends in transportation funding and community priorities.
The Vancouver Company Working with Trump to Mine the Deep Sea
The article discusses Gerard Barron, CEO of the Vancouver-based deep-sea mining company The Metals Co., who met with U.S. officials during a visit to the White House in April 2025. Barron expressed optimism about working with the Trump administration to advance deep-sea mining projects. Shortly after, Trump signed an executive order accelerating offshore mineral extraction, including in international waters, which conflicts with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Metals Co. submitted applications for exploration permits, which were approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The company plans to begin commercial operations soon, despite concerns raised by environmental groups calling for a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
AI Isn’t Replacing Lawyers. But It’s Supercharging Institutions
This opinion piece argues that artificial intelligence is not replacing lawyers but enhancing the institutional advantages of those who can afford legal representation. The author, a former civil litigator, describes how AI-powered letters from landlords, insurers, and banks create overwhelming pressure on individuals without legal aid. He highlights the growing disparity, noting that only one in three Canadians facing serious legal problems consult a legal professional, and up to 80% of people in family court represent themselves. While AI adoption by law firms has risen significantly, the author warns that this technology amplifies systemic inequities rather than addressing them.
Two Powerful First Nations Relive a Key Victory
On National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation gifted a cedar dugout canoe to the Haida Nation, symbolizing intergenerational stewardship of the forest and honoring historical solidarity between the two groups. This gesture commemorates the 1980s resistance led by the Tla-o-qui-aht and other Nuu-chah-nulth communities against clear-cut logging in Clayoquot Sound. Their efforts, alongside the Haida's support, marked a pivotal moment in Indigenous-led environmental activism in British Columbia. The event highlighted the enduring legacy of this movement, which challenged powerful logging interests and reshaped the region's ecological and political landscape.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
Nothing flagged as overlooked yet.