La Presse Dominates 2025 Judith-Jasmin and Antoine-Desilets Journalism Awards in Sherbrooke
Quebec journalists and photographers received top honors for investigative excellence and visual storytelling.
1Record-Breaking Night for La Presse
La Presse achieved a historic milestone at the Sherbrooke gala, securing ten awards from the Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec. Five journalists and four photographers were honored for their contributions to public interest reporting. This performance marks the highest number of accolades the publication has ever received during this ceremony.
2Grand Prix Investigative Success
The Grand Prix Judith-Jasmin was awarded to Francis Vailles and Jean-Hugues Roy for their investigation into Canadian charitable tax regimes. Their report revealed how public funds indirectly finance religious movements abroad. By analyzing 65,000 transactions, they estimated over 700 million dollars in tax revenue was foregone by Canada over five years.
3Diverse Investigative Reporting Excellence
Beyond the Grand Prix, Isabelle Hachey was recognized for her deep dive into cyberfraud industries in Southeast Asia. Other winners included Vincent Larin and Vincent Larouche for their work on SAAQclic, and Jean-Thomas Léveillé for exposing forestry intervention issues. These reports highlight the breadth of investigative journalism currently practiced in Quebec.
4Visual Storytelling and Photography
Photographers from La Presse secured four of the seven Antoine-Desilets awards. Martin Tremblay won for his photoreportage on the rise of medetomidine in Montreal, while Sarah Mongeau-Birkett, Dominick Gravel, and Charles William Pelletier were also honored. These images captured everything from intense sports moments to daily life struggles in the city.
5Recognition Across the Industry
The gala also celebrated achievements from other outlets, including Le Devoir and Le Soleil. Marie-France Coallier of Le Devoir won the portrait category for her image of photographer Pierre Dury. Meanwhile, Jocelyn Riendeau from Le Soleil received the Grand Prix Antoine-Desilets for capturing a joyful moment during a political rally.
6Political Accountability and Impact
A team from Le Journal de Montréal earned the investigative category award for their reporting on Pablo Rodriguez’s leadership campaign financing. This specific investigation led directly to the resignation of the Liberal Party of Quebec candidate. Such outcomes underscore the vital role of journalism in maintaining political accountability within the province.
7Honoring Media Legacy
The event featured a tribute to Pierre Bruneau, the former TVA news anchor, celebrating his nearly 50-year career. His professional journey spanned major historical events, including the Oka crisis, the 1998 ice storm, the September 11 attacks, and the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting the evolution of Quebec's media landscape over five decades.
8The State of Quebec Journalism
With over 180 journalists submitting nearly 200 entries, the 2025 gala showcased a competitive and vibrant media environment. The awards emphasize the necessity of field reporting and rigorous data analysis. As newsrooms face increasing challenges, these accolades serve to validate the public service mission of professional journalism across all platforms.