The Canadian satirical news site The Beaverton is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year—and one of the voices behind the headlines comes straight from Simcoe.
Clare Blackwood spoke with us about her journey into the world of news with a comedic twist, and what it’s been like over the past six years she’s spent with the company, watching Canada’s political landscape shift and evolve.
The journey began by sharpening her comedic skills—and then, she says, asking for a small favour.
Blackwood shared that politics and culture were central topics throughout her childhood, so blending those themes with humour felt like a natural fit.
Over the years, she’s seen major changes in the political landscape—changes that have pushed the Beaverton’s writing team to be more deliberate about the stories they tell and how they tell them.
She noted that sometimes, headlines that sound like Beaverton pieces are now appearing in real-life newscasts.
When it comes to satire, Blackwood believes it offers a powerful way to engage people with important issues—especially ones that might not otherwise hit their radar.
She added that the writing team is fully aware that, for better or worse, many people get at least some of their news from The Beaverton.
They acknowledge that responsibility, she says, and recognize the unique position they’re in—to shine a light on topics that other media outlets might avoid or overlook.
As the media world continues to evolve, so too does The Beaverton.
The team has recently expanded into the podcast space, which Blackwood says felt like a natural next step.
You can read more about The Beaverton and explore their latest satirical takes here.