Free Access for Journalists
You're on deadline. Your research budget is tight. And the public records you need are scattered across dozens of government portals, if they're accessible at all.
The IJF exists to change that. We've built 13 public interest databases that centralize more than 23 million rows of federal and provincial government data — lobbying records, contracts, political donations, access-to-information disclosures and more — so you can find what you need faster and easier.
Through our Free Access for Journalists program, eligible journalists get an Unlimited IJF subscription at no cost. No strings, no time limits, just the tools you need to do accountability journalism faster.
Who's eligible?
- Professional and student class members of the Canadian Association of Journalists or the Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec
- Full-time journalists at CBC/Radio-Canada, TVO, or outlets that are members of the National NewsMedia Council of Canada, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters or the Conseil de presse du Québec, or student journalists at outlets that are members of the Canadian University Press
What you get
- Premium access to all 13 public interest databases
- 50 keyword alerts for real-time updates to track the people and companies in your beat
- Unlimited access to all IJF investigations and stories
- Weekly Power & Influence Report newsletter
- Access to the IJF's exclusive Slack community to ask questions and share ideas
- Free resources for learning how to use IJF databases in your reporting
One simple condition
When IJF data helps your story, spread the word — an in-text acknowledgement and link back to the IJF's website allows us to raise awareness for our public interest mission. Some examples:
- “The Investigative Journalism Foundation reported that 166 lobbyists have attended Liberal fundraisers since 2019,” CBC News.
- “In September the Investigative Journalism Foundation reported the Alberta Court of Justice chief justice had opened an investigation into two judges who appear to have made donations to Smith’s United Conservative Party while sitting on the bench,“ Edmonton Journal.
- “Reporting by Brett McKay of the Investigative Journalism Foundation shows 170 books have been banned across 41 school divisions,” Toronto Star.
One simple condition
When IJF data helps your story, spread the word — an in-text acknowledgement and link back to the IJF's website allows us to raise awareness for our public interest mission. Some examples:
- “The Investigative Journalism Foundation reported that 166 lobbyists have attended Liberal fundraisers since 2019,” CBC News.
- “In September the Investigative Journalism Foundation reported the Alberta Court of Justice chief justice had opened an investigation into two judges who appear to have made donations to Smith’s United Conservative Party while sitting on the bench,“ Edmonton Journal.
- “Reporting by Brett McKay of the Investigative Journalism Foundation shows 170 books have been banned across 41 school divisions,” Toronto Star.
Sign up for free access
Support our work
Make a gift in support of our non-profit mission today.
Support our work
Make a gift in support of our non-profit mission today.