Making news in Toronto

There aren’t many Canadians willing to defend Conrad Black, let alone hire him.

Yet Concordia alumnus Stephen Meurice, editor-in-chief of the National Post, regularly employs the controversial Canadian-born historian, publisher and convicted felon as a columnist for the newspaper.

Stephen Meurice, BA 90, editor-in-chief of the National Post, speak to alumni in Toronto

“He’s one of the best, most interesting, entertaining writers in this country,” Meurice told 40 guests at the Alumni Networking Night at Toronto’s Hilton Garden Inn on November 15. “I’m not in the position to be turning away that kind of talent.”

Meurice also provided a brief overview of his career and the challenges facing the newspaper business. He credited his success in part to his time at Concordia. Meurice earned a BA in political science in 1990 and studied in the university’s graduate diploma in journalism program.

He’s been with the National Post since it was launched by Conrad Black in 1998. Black sold it a few years later. Meurice was named the editor-in-chief in 2010.

Despite the paper’s longstanding financial struggles — common for many print publications today — Meurice decided to remain.

“I stayed because the Post newsroom was the best place I had ever worked, where creativity was encouraged and rewarded.”

The event was hosted by the Toronto Chapter of the Concordia University Alumni Association.