True North Brief maintains a rigorous fact-checking process for every article published. All factual claims—statistics, dates, names, quotations, and data—are verified before publication using primary sources, official records, and direct attribution. This policy explains what we verify, how we rank sources, and how we handle corrections. It is part of our broader Editorial Policy and should be read alongside our Corrections Policy.
What do we verify?
We verify every factual assertion that appears in our journalism, from broad claims about policy changes to specific figures in market reports. This includes economic data, corporate earnings, government announcements, scientific studies, historical references, and any attribution of statements to named individuals.
Our verification process covers numbers (percentages, dollar amounts, dates), proper names (officials, organizations, places), direct and indirect quotes, and any description of events or trends that could be independently confirmed. When a source provides information that cannot be checked—for example, an anonymous tip—we disclose the limitation and do not present it as verified fact.
How do we rank our sources?
We follow a clear source hierarchy, detailed on our Sources & Standards page, to assign weight and credibility to information. At the top are primary documents (government reports, court filings, corporate financial statements, official data releases) and direct recordings or transcripts.
Secondary sources include reputable news organizations, academic journals, and verified expert commentary. Anonymous or single-source claims are treated with caution and never serve as the sole basis for a story. We require at least two independent corroborations for any contentious or high-stakes claim. Sources are always clearly attributed in the article, and readers can follow the links to original materials where available.
How do we handle unverified or rumoured information?
We do not publish unverified rumours or speculation. If a piece of information is circulating widely but cannot be independently confirmed, we either withhold it or label it explicitly as unverified, with a clear explanation of what is known and unknown. In breaking-news situations, we may publish updates as facts become confirmed, but we never pass off a rumour as fact.
Any article that discusses an unconfirmed claim includes a prominent note, for example: “This report is based on preliminary information that has not been independently verified by True North Brief.” Our Standards Lead reviews such content before publication.
What you can expect from us
Readers can expect that every piece of journalism on True North Brief has been reviewed by an editor and fact-checked against reliable sources. We are transparent about our methods: where a claim relies on a single source, we say so. Where data is preliminary, we note that. Our fact-checking team does not rely on AI-generated summaries for verification; human judgment always decides what passes our standards.
We also commit to correcting errors promptly and prominently. When a mistake is found, we update the article, add a correction note, and log the change in our Corrections Policy. Our editorial team, led by Editor-in-Chief Daniel Campbell, is responsible for ensuring these standards are upheld across all content.
Who reviews sensitive articles?
Sensitive articles—those involving allegations of misconduct, criminal activity, public-health risks, national security, or significant harm to individuals or organizations—are flagged for extra scrutiny. Our Standards & Fact-Checking Lead, Rachel Miller, personally reviews every such piece before publication.
She checks that all sources are properly identified, that any anonymous sourcing meets our threshold (confirmed identity of the source to the editor, with a compelling reason for anonymity), and that the language is precise and fair. This review process may also involve consulting external experts or legal counsel when warranted.
How can readers report a potential error?
We invite readers to help us maintain accuracy. If you spot an error or something that seems incorrect, please email our fact-checking team directly at factcheck@truenorthbrief.com. Your report will be reviewed by Rachel Miller or a designated editor within two business days.
We take every report seriously and will investigate regardless of the subject. For more details on how we handle corrections, including timeframes and the type of changes we make, please see our Corrections Policy. To learn about our editorial standards more broadly, visit Editorial Policy and meet the team at Our Team.
Questions or concerns?
If you have a question about this policy or want to discuss a specific article’s fact-checking process, please contact our editorial desk at editorial@truenorthbrief.com. For general inquiries, use info@truenorthbrief.com. We are committed to being accountable to our readers and to the highest standards of Canadian journalism.