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Louise Dickson

Louise Dickson

Louise Dickson graduated from Queen’s University with an honours degree in history, then worked on Parliament Hill as a researcher for three years. In 1985, she joined the Ottawa Citizen, where she was a feature writer and fitness columnist.

Louise joined the Times Colonist in 1997, specializing in crime and the courts. She has been honoured with three National Newspaper Award nominations.

Louise and her colleagues were awarded the 2010 Justicia Award for Excellence in Legal Journalism for a series on access to information in the B.C. court system. The series also won the 2010 Jack Webster Award for Legal Journalism.

Louise has been nominated for numerous Webster awards, including one for her investigation into B.C.’s Name Act in 2001. The government vowed quick legislative change after Louise revealed there were loopholes that allowed offenders to change their names and leave their criminal records behind.

Louise is the author of six children’s books, including The Kids Guide to Fortune Telling, published by Kids Can Press. She is also co-author of Straight Talk About Kids and Sport, published by the Coaching Association of Canada.

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Recent Work by Louise

‘We, the family, forgive you:’ A healing journey begins over boy killed by his mother

‘We, the family, forgive you:’ A healing journey begins over boy killed by his mother

Dontay Patrick Lucas’s family members gathered around the boy’s mother, Rykel Charleson, and stepfather Mitchell Frank after they were sentenced, in a gesture of forgiveness.
Port Alberni couple get 15 years for killing boy, 6

Port Alberni couple get 15 years for killing boy, 6

Rykel Charleson and Mitchell Frank were originally charged with first-degree murder but later pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Charleson’s son Dontay Lucas, 6
Port Alberni woman sentenced to four years for manslaughter in shooting death of son

Port Alberni woman sentenced to four years for manslaughter in shooting death of son

“The trauma I felt watching my son die in front of my eyes is unbearable,” she said. “And I am so sorry that happened.”
'It tortures me:' Parksville mother gives up search for missing daughter

'It tortures me:' Parksville mother gives up search for missing daughter

For the past seven years, Barbara Gilmour has done everything she can to find her daughter Carmel, who disappeared in November 2017
Protest at Bonnie Henry film part of alarming trend, police chief says

Protest at Bonnie Henry film part of alarming trend, police chief says

Forty to 50 protesters converged on the Vic Theatre at the premiere of Our Time to Be Kind, a documentary on the provincial health officer’s handling of the pandemic
Day parole extended for Saanich man who arranged killing of mother and grandmother

Day parole extended for Saanich man who arranged killing of mother and grandmother

Darren Gowen — formerly known as Darren Huenemann — arranged for Mount Douglas Secondary School classmates to murder his mother and grandmother in 1990 for a $4-million inheritance
Victoria sports-video company bought for $150M

Victoria sports-video company bought for $150M

Minute Media announced last week it has acquired STN Video.
Duncan home of woman banned from acting as midwife searched

Duncan home of woman banned from acting as midwife searched

Gloria Lemay was at the centre of a high-profile court case in the 1980s involving the death of a baby boy, and is permanently prohibited from acting as a midwife
Port Alberni considers creating park in memory of boy, 6, killed by his mother

Port Alberni considers creating park in memory of boy, 6, killed by his mother

“We want a space where people can laugh and play and create memories with their families,” says a family spokesman
'I just love swimming': 99-year-old sets three world records in single day

'I just love swimming': 99-year-old sets three world records in single day

Betty Brussel set the records in the 100- to 104-age category at the Commonwealth Pool
More work by Louise >