Strong Richmond Hill’s approach
We advocate openly. We report carefully.
Strong Richmond Hill is a resident-led civic advocacy organization. StrongRH.ca is one of the tools we use to promote our ideas, explain local issues, and invite residents into the conversation.
We are not a traditional news organization or a neutral newsroom. Our coverage reflects our stated priorities: a financially resilient city, more housing choices, safer streets, practical ways to get around, and stronger civic engagement. We make this perspective clear so readers understand why we cover an issue and how we assess it.
Our editorial approach
StrongRH does not claim to offer a view from nowhere. Our coverage is guided by a clear perspective: we support financially resilient, people-oriented, and incrementally developed communities, drawing on principles associated with the Strong Towns approach.
That perspective shapes the issues we follow and the questions we ask. It does not change our responsibility to represent evidence accurately, distinguish fact from opinion, and be open about uncertainty. We aim to be fair to the people and organizations affected by the issues we cover, including those who disagree with our position.
Look beyond the announcement
We pay attention to long-term financial sustainability, not only short-term growth claims.
Keep people in view
We examine how development, transportation, and street design affect daily life and access to opportunity.
Ask what lasts
We look at the long-term costs and responsibilities attached to public decisions and city-building.
Make room for practical steps
We highlight incremental ideas and local solutions that can be tested, improved, and built on over time.
How we report
We want readers to see what a story is based on, what is still uncertain, and where our interpretation begins.
Use checkable sources
When available, we consult original records such as council reports, minutes, budgets, bylaws, public data, and direct statements. We identify sources and link to documents when practical.
Give relevant people a chance to respond
For contested or consequential claims, we seek comment from people or organizations directly involved when appropriate. If we do not receive a response before publication, we aim to say so.
Be clear about uncertainty
We distinguish confirmed information from allegations, estimates, and unanswered questions, and explain when a decision or process is still ongoing.
Provide context
We explain why a local decision matters and what its possible consequences are, while making clear when we are offering analysis rather than reporting a settled fact.
Reporting, analysis, and opinion
StrongRH uses several forms of content to advance the local civic conversation. We label opinion and perspective pieces so readers can distinguish reporting about events and records from analysis and advocacy.
News and reporting
Reports on events, decisions, and developments, grounded in attributed information and available records.
Explainers and analysis
Context about how a local issue or decision works and why it may matter. Analysis may include interpretation, which we aim to distinguish from established facts.
Editorials, commentary, and guest views
Arguments and perspectives are identified as such. Guest contributors speak for themselves; their views do not necessarily represent StrongRH.
Corrections and updates
We may update or correct articles as new information becomes available. When a significant factual error is identified, we will correct it and explain the change where appropriate. Updates that add important new information should be identified as updates.
If you believe we have made a factual error or missed important context, please contact StrongRH and point us to the article and the information in question. We will review it.
Use of AI tools
Some articles on StrongRH.ca are drafted with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor before publication. Human editors remain responsible for editorial decisions and for reviewing published work.
Submissions
We welcome opinion pieces, community perspectives, event coverage, and local insights from Richmond Hill residents and subject-matter experts. Submissions should relate to local civic issues and contribute to constructive community discussion.
All submissions are subject to editorial review and may be edited or formatted for clarity, accuracy, and style. Submission does not guarantee publication. Please include:
- Your full name
- A short biography (one or two lines)
- Any relevant affiliations or disclosures
For submissions, tips, or questions, use the Contact page on StrongRH.ca.
Masthead
Our promise to readers: Strong Richmond Hill is an advocacy organization, and we will say so plainly. We will make our perspective visible, handle facts carefully, and correct the record when we get something wrong.