The Georgia Straight Vancouver's Independent Voice

The Georgia Straight is a free Canadian weekly news and entertainment newspaper based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Published by the Overstory Media Group, the publication is widely distributed through newsboxes, public libraries, and post-secondary institutions, serving as a critical voice in the city's media landscape.

A History of Defiance and Independence

Founded in May 1967 as an underground newspaper, the Georgia Straight was established by a collective including Pierre Coupey, Milton Acorn, Dan McLeod, and Stan Persky. The name was a play on the weather forecasts for the Georgia Strait, ensuring the paper would receive free publicity through gale warnings.

Early Legal Battles and Censorship

The paper's early years were marked by significant legal challenges. On May 12, 1967, the publication was raided by Vancouver Police for publishing "obscenities." This led to a series of confrontations with local authorities, including then-Mayor Tom Campbell, who described the paper as "filth."

The city suspended the paper's business license in September 1967, making it illegal to sell the publication. Despite this, the paper continued to operate by giving copies away for free and accepting donations. The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) eventually challenged the suspension in court, arguing for freedom of the press.

While the paper faced numerous obscenity charges, including those related to specific advertisements and articles, the founders were eventually acquitted. These legal battles cemented the paper's reputation as a vocal critic of government and authority.

Evolution into a Conventional Weekly

By the 1970s, the Georgia Straight transitioned from an underground rag to a more conventional news and entertainment weekly, though it maintained a progressive editorial slant. Notably, music journalist Bob Geldof worked for the paper during this era before returning to Ireland to form the Boomtown Rats.

Ownership and Modern Era

The publication has undergone several ownership changes in recent years. In January 2020, it was acquired by Media Central Corporation. However, following Media Central's bankruptcy, the paper was acquired by the Overstory Media Group in September 2022.

The BC Government Tax Case

In October 2003, the paper faced another regulatory battle when the provincial government billed it for over $1 million in outstanding provincial sales tax (PST). The government argued that the paper's extensive "Time Out" listings were advertising rather than editorial content, which would disqualify it from the newspaper tax exemption. Publisher Dan McLeod viewed this as a politically motivated attempt to silence a critic of the government.