Northern Focus (northernfocus.org) is an independent Canadian digital news publisher owned and operated by Northern Beacon Media Inc., an Ontario corporation (Ontario Business Registry number 1003194827). These Terms of Use govern your access to and use of our website, content, and services. By using Northern Focus, you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, please do not use our site. We may update these terms from time to time; continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.
Who can use this site?
Northern Focus is open to all readers who accept these Terms of Use. You must be at least 13 years old to use the site. Access to certain features, such as our newsletter, may require registration. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate access for violations of these terms. These rules help us maintain a safe and trustworthy environment for everyone.
We encourage you to review this page periodically. Our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy explain how we handle your personal data and tracking technologies. Your continued use of the site after any updates means you accept the revised terms.
Who is responsible for what we publish?
Northern Beacon Media Inc. owns and operates Northern Focus. Editor-in-Chief Catherine Roy has overall responsibility for editorial standards, publication decisions, and corrections. Every article is written by a named journalist, reviewed by an editor, and fact-checked before publication. Our team includes managing editor Marc Tremblay, municipal affairs editor Hannah Walsh, community correspondent Kevin Sullivan, provincial affairs editor Jessica Morin, and fact-checking lead Andrew Leblanc.
AI-assisted tools may support research, editing, or formatting, but never replace human editorial judgment. All published content is reviewed and approved by a human editor. See our Editorial Policy and AI & Automation Policy for full details on how we maintain editorial integrity.
What you can expect from us
Northern Focus delivers clear, practical regional journalism without spin or oversimplification. We cover municipal affairs, provincial policy, business, technology, and community stories. Sponsored or commercial content is clearly labelled, and affiliate links are disclosed. Commercial relationships never determine editorial conclusions. We follow rigorous fact-checking and source verification standards led by Andrew Leblanc.
If you see something that needs correction, please contact us. Our Corrections Policy and Fact-Checking Policy outline our processes. We also maintain a Complaints Procedure for formal concerns. Our Ownership & Funding page provides transparency about who we are and how we are financed.
How do we handle mistakes?
We take accuracy seriously. If an error is found, we issue a correction promptly and transparently. Readers can report errors to corrections@northernfocus.org or through our Corrections Policy page. Editor-in-Chief Catherine Roy oversees all correction decisions. We distinguish between corrections for factual errors, clarifications for ambiguity, and updates for new information.
Each correction includes a note explaining the change. We maintain a public corrections log for transparency. Standards & Fact-Checking Lead Andrew Leblanc manages the verification process and can be reached at andrew.leblanc@northernfocus.org.
What about intellectual property and copyright?
All content on Northern Focus — including articles, photographs, graphics, and multimedia — is owned by Northern Beacon Media Inc. or its licensors and is protected by Canadian and international copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or modification is prohibited. You may share links and quote brief excerpts for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution.
For permission to republish or license content, contact partnerships@northernfocus.org. To report copyright infringement, see our Copyright & Takedown Policy and contact legal@northernfocus.org.
How do we handle external links and disclaimers?
Northern Focus may include links to third-party websites for informational purposes. We do not endorse or assume responsibility for the content, accuracy, or practices of those sites. Our content is for general informational and journalism purposes only — not medical, financial, legal, or professional advice. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from reliance on our content.
Readers should seek qualified professional advice for personal decisions. Our Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure explains how we handle commercial relationships and affiliate links.
What law applies and where can disputes be resolved?
These Terms of Use are governed by the laws of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada. Any disputes arising from your use of Northern Focus shall be resolved in the courts of Ontario, located in Toronto. You consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of these courts. If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full effect.
These terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Northern Beacon Media Inc. regarding your use of the site. Our registered office is Unit 12, 95 King Street East, Toronto, ON M5C 1G4, Canada.
Questions or concerns?
For questions about these Terms of Use, contact legal@northernfocus.org. For editorial concerns, reach Editor-in-Chief Catherine Roy at catherine.roy@northernfocus.org or call +1 416 555 0220. For privacy or cookie matters, see our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. For general inquiries, use info@northernfocus.org. Visit our Contact page for the full list of editorial and departmental contacts.