The ways that information gets to local residents have exploded in the last twenty years. Unfortunately, many of the sources of information can also be sources of misinformation, as they aren’t verified. Local news organizations work hard to ensure that they publish accurate information, but social media sites often don’t regulate information for accuracy, and some even restrict verified news from being published on their sites.
The RM of St. Clements is supporting local media
To support local residents being able to get local news from a local source that they trust, both the RMs of St. Clements and St. Andrews have made the decision to increase their support for the Selkirk Record, which is the only print publication providing this service in the Tri-S area.
Both Deepak Joshi, CAO of St. Clements and Brent Olynyk, CAO of St. Andrews, discussed this decision with the Record.
“The RM of St. Clements is a large and geographically diverse municipality stretching from East St. Paul all the way to Grand Beach in the north. With communities ranging from rural farmland to lakeside cottages to growing settlement areas like East Selkirk and Lockport, keeping residents informed isn’t a simple task. Local media fills a critical gap that broader regional or national outlets simply can’t. When there are local issues or a community event coming up, residents need a trusted, nearby source that speaks directly to their lives. The Selkirk Record has been that voice for this area for years, and that kind of on-the-ground, community-focused journalism is genuinely irreplaceable,” said Joshi.
Olynyk concurred, saying, “Local media is very important to the community and allows residents to keep in touch with current events in an unbiased manner. Social media is volatile, and information (from it) cannot be verified and is mostly not accurate. (Local media also) allows local businesses to get their message out to the community in the way of advertising, lets the community recognize volunteers and young achievers, and also gets important messages out in times of crisis like flooding and other emergencies,” he said.
Local media isn’t a one-stop shop for the RMs, and they will continue to communicate verified information through their own platforms.
“The RM’s Council has always prioritized keeping residents connected and informed and has even identified (that communication) as a part of its Strategic Plan. To that end, we’ve invested in tools like our website, social media, newsletters, the St. Clements Connect platform, and even various AI videos and podcasts. But we recognize that the municipality itself communicating outward is only one side of the equation. Independent local journalism holds local government accountable, tells the stories of our neighbours, and creates a shared sense of identity across our many communities. Supporting the Selkirk Record is an investment in the health of our broader information and communication ecosystem because when local media struggles, everyone in the community loses something important,” said Joshi.
Olynyk also believes that investing in the Selkirk Record is beneficial because it allows the RMs to connect with more than just people that live in their RM.
“We want to get our messages and news out not only to St. Andrews, but all our region. Our communities working together is vital for success. The Record can help us with that message,” he explained.
Both CAOs feel that the trust that the Record has built up over its many years in the community played a factor in the decision to utilize it as a way to share accurate information with residents.
“There’s a reason people pick up the Selkirk Record, they trust it. National headlines can feel distant or disconnected, but reading about what’s happening on your road, at your school, or in your council chambers is different. That trust has been built over time, through consistent and honest local coverage. When the RM communicates through a trusted local outlet, we know that information is reaching residents in a form they’re comfortable with and confident in. In a time when misinformation is a real concern, local journalism that knows this community and is accountable to it is more valuable than ever,” said Joshi.
Thanks to their commitments to work with the Record in the future, residents St. Clements can look forward to information in both stories and advertising that is relevant to them.
“Residents can expect more detailed coverage of what’s happening at the municipal level, from council decisions and infrastructure projects to community programs and upcoming events. Council has made a commitment to this by publishing a semi-annual newsletter directly through the Selkirk Record, giving every resident in our area a real look at what’s happening in local government, not just a quick notification.
“This decision didn’t happen in isolation. The RM has worked hard over the years to reach residents through a variety of channels, from our website at rmofstclements.com, the St. Clements Connect notifications program, AI videos and podcasts, and our events calendar.
“While those tools have been valuable and remain an important part of how we communicate, we found that not all residents were being reached consistently. The Selkirk Record’s community-wide distribution means we can close that gap and make sure the people who rely on print, or simply don’t engage with digital platforms regularly, are still part of the conversation.
“As the RM continues to grow and take on major projects, including new housing development, water and sewer infrastructure improvements, and new community building, there is a lot to share. The Selkirk Record gives us a trusted, far-reaching platform to do exactly that,” said Joshi.
Olynyk explained that their commitment will similarly keep St. Andrews residents informed about the issues that are important on a local level that you just don’t get from provincial or national news sources.
“Our message will be about local successes, volunteers, young achievers, and recognizing residents. We will also inform our community of future plans, changes that are coming, and how things work in regards to policy and legislation. We will talk about snow clearing, drainage, and road building. (Our goal is to) let you know what the RM and council are focussing on,” he said.
In a world where local news is becoming harder and harder to find both RMs are taking steps to make sure that this resource remains available in the Tri-S area.
“Local newsrooms across Canada have been facing serious financial pressures, and many communities have already lost their local papers entirely. St. Clements, St. Andrews and the Selkirk area are fortunate to still have the Selkirk Record, and the RM (of St. Clements) Council doesn’t take that for granted. Our increased support through publishing our newsletters in its pages is a statement that we believe local print media remains one of the most effective and trusted tools for community-wide communication. We’re not replacing what’s come before, we’re adding the Selkirk Record as part of our broader commitment to reaching residents wherever they are, in whatever way works best for them,” said Joshi.
Both CAOs encourage residents to stay tuned to the Selkirk Record as well as their websites (rmofstclements.com) and (rmofstandrews.com). You can also get great, accurate information by keeping up with the RMs newsletters or registering with St. Andrews Connect or St. Clements Connect, which are available on each RMs website.
