Times Colonist legislature columnist Les Leyne has been named a finalist for the Jack Webster Awards, which recognize excellence in B.C. journalism.
Leyne is one of three nominees — the others are Gary Mason of the Globe and Mail and Chris Foulds of Kamloops This Week — for commentator of the year. It’s an award he won in 2009.
Leyne, who joined the newspaper in 1981, has also on nine occasions won or been nominated for the Webster Award for best news reporting. In 2008, he was a finalist for the National Newspaper Award as best columnist in the country.
In 2012, he flew to Ottawa to accept the Michener Award for Meritorious Public Service Journalism, the highest honour in Canada, when a Times Colonist team was recognized for stories on the lack of support for people with developmental disabilities.
Webster Award winners will be announced Nov. 3 in an online ceremony hosted by Sophie Lui and Chris Gailus, both anchors with Global B.C.
The Jack Webster Foundation was established in 1986 in honour of legendary B.C. reporter Jack Webster.
