True North Brief, published by Great Lakes Press Ltd., is supported by display advertising, affiliate links, commercial partnerships, sponsored content, newsletter sponsorships and content licensing. This page explains how we generate revenue while preserving editorial independence and transparency.
How is True North Brief funded?
True North Brief is funded through a mix of display advertising, affiliate links, commercial partnerships, sponsored content, newsletter sponsorships and content licensing. All revenue sources are transparently disclosed, and commercial relationships never determine editorial conclusions.
Display ads are served by third‑party networks and are clearly separated from editorial content. Affiliate links earn a small commission when readers purchase through them at no extra cost; these links are always labelled. Sponsored content is produced in collaboration with partners but is clearly marked and subject to editorial approval. Detailed financial information is available on our ownership and funding page.
What is our policy on affiliate links?
When an article on True North Brief includes an affiliate link, we note it clearly and earn a small commission if you buy the recommended product or service. That commission does not increase the price you pay.
Affiliate links are used only when they add genuine value to our coverage — for example, linking to a book reviewed in a story or a tool mentioned in a tech article. Our editorial team, led by Editor‑in‑Chief Daniel Campbell, chooses which products or services to mention based on journalistic merit, not on potential revenue. Affiliate revenue helps sustain our newsroom without compromising independence. Readers can always identify affiliate links via a short disclosure near the link or at the bottom of the article.
How do we handle display advertising?
Display advertisements on True North Brief are clearly distinct from editorial content and are never allowed to influence what we publish. Ads are managed by third‑party networks and can be identified by their placement and labelling.
We do not sell direct placement ads that give advertisers control over specific articles or beats. Advertising partners are informed that our editorial team — from Managing Editor Sarah Mitchell to fact‑checker Rachel Miller — makes all content decisions independently. If an advertiser’s practices conflict with our journalistic standards, we reserve the right to reject or remove the ad. Readers who see an ad that seems inappropriate can contact our contact page.
What about sponsored content?
Sponsored content is content produced in partnership with a commercial client but clearly labelled as “Sponsored” or “Paid Partnership.” It follows the same accuracy and transparency standards as all other content on True North Brief.
Our full sponsored content policy outlines how we distinguish sponsored material from editorial stories. Every sponsored piece is reviewed by a human editor and fact‑checked by our standards team. It will never mimic our regular reporting style or use our journalists’ bylines without approval. Sponsored content does not receive favourable treatment in search rankings or recommendations, and it is always published in a dedicated section or with a visible disclosure.
What you can expect from us
Readers can expect every commercial relationship on True North Brief to be transparent and subordinate to editorial independence. We disclose funding sources, label affiliate links and sponsored content, and never allow advertisers to shape our reporting.
Our editorial mission — trustworthy Canadian journalism without spin or oversimplification — guides every decision. The same fact‑checking and editorial review processes apply regardless of whether an article contains affiliate links or appears near an advertisement. If you have any doubt about the distinction between advertising and journalism, our editorial policy explains how we maintain separation.
Who oversees editorial independence?
Editor‑in‑Chief Daniel Campbell is ultimately responsible for all publication decisions at True North Brief. No commercial partner, advertiser or sponsor can dictate what we cover, how we cover it or whether a story is published.
Our fact‑checking lead Rachel Miller verifies claims in every article, including those that mention commercial products or partners. Managing Editor Sarah Mitchell oversees daily newsroom operations and headline review. If a commercial partner attempted to influence coverage, it would be immediately escalated to Daniel Campbell and, if necessary, the ownership of Great Lakes Press Ltd. We invite readers who suspect undue influence to contact our complaints procedure.
Where can I find more details?
In addition to this page, we maintain a dedicated ownership and funding page that lists all revenue streams and corporate structure. Our sponsored content policy contains specific rules for commercial partnerships.
Readers can also review our editorial policy for broader standards, our fact‑checking policy for verification procedures, and our privacy policy for how user data is handled in relation to advertising. All policies are regularly updated to reflect best practices in digital journalism.
Questions or concerns?
For advertising inquiries, contact advertising@truenorthbrief.com. For partnership or sponsored‑content requests, write to partnerships@truenorthbrief.com. Editorial concerns about potential conflicts of interest should be directed to editorial@truenorthbrief.com or complaints@truenorthbrief.com.
If you prefer to use our web form, visit the contact page. We respond to all queries related to advertising and disclosure within two business days.