The Varsity (newspaper)

History

At the height of debate on coeducation in 1880, The Varsity published an article in its inaugural issue in favour of admitting women.

In 1895, the suspension of *The Varsity'''s editor, James Tucker, led Latin Professor Dale to publicly attack the administration in The Globe, which in turn led to his own dismissal. University College students then approved a motion by *Varsity'' editorial staff member William Lyon Mackenzie King and boycotted lectures for a week. King later became Canada's longest-serving prime minister.

After Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau decriminalized homosexuality in 1969, a medical research assistant placed an advertisement in The Varsity seeking volunteers to establish the first gay and lesbian university association in Canada, the University of Toronto Homophile Association.

In 2017, The Varsity began publishing a Chinese-language edition of the newspaper on their website.

Notable past staff

• Peter Gzowski, broadcaster and reporter, host of CBC's Morningside (1982–1997)
• Michael Ignatieff, public intellectual, academic at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Member of Parliament, and former Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
• Michael Kesterton, columnist for The Globe and Mail
• William Lyon Mackenzie King, 10th Prime Minister of Canada
• Mark Kingwell, philosopher, fellow of Trinity College, Toronto
• Naomi Klein, journalist, author of No Logo and The Shock Doctrine
• David Megginson, computer software developer
• Jim Proudfoot, sports journalist, sports editor for the Toronto Star
• Chandler Levack, writer and filmmaker
• Linda McQuaig, Toronto Star columnist
• Tom Walkom, Toronto Star columnist
• Bob Rae, Rhodes Scholar, 21st Premier of Ontario, Member of Parliament
• Edward Roberts, 11th Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Frank Shuster and Johnny Wayne, comedians, best known for their work as comedy duo Wayne and Shuster
• Isabel Vincent, journalist for the National Post, former correspondent for The Globe and Mail
• Clive Thompson, journalist and science and technology writer for Wired (magazine)
• Tanya Talaga, journalist, author of Seven Fallen Feathers
• Barbara Amiel, journalist, Maclean's columnist
• Jason Szep, Pulitzer Prize winner and International Affairs Editor with Reuters
• James Laxer, political economist
• John Lorinc, journalist and author, winner of the Balsillie Prize for Public Policy in 2022

References

References

1. "The Varsity: Masthead".
2. (2025-03-25). "Is there a story here?".
3. (2002). "What was front page news in the inaugural issue of the student paper The Varsity in 1880?". University of Toronto Department of Public Affairs.
4. [http://www.newsandevents.utoronto.ca/bios/02/history17.htm Q&A: What made the "blood fairly boil" in U of T student and future prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King in 1895?] {{webarchive. link. (2007-08-20)
5. (2002). "What made the "blood fairly boil" in U of T student and future prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King in 1895?". University of Toronto Department of Public Affairs.
6. Marshall, David B.. (2000). "Dale, William". [[Dictionary of Canadian Biography]].
7. Bébout, Rick. (January 2000). "Conception & birth". On the Origins of the Body Politic.
8. Shrinkhala Dawadi. (12 October 2017). "The Varsity Launches Chinese-language Edition". The Canadian Journalism Project.
9. (2002-02-07). "Here’s looking at you, Pete".
10. (2009-10-15). "Q&A: Michael Ignatieff".
11. mickleblog. (2019-02-18). "MICHAEL KESTERTON, THE YOUNGER YEARS, AND A BIT MORE. RIP".
12. "William Lyon Mackenzie King {{!}} University of Toronto Alumni".
13. (2011-02-08). "How he got here: Mark Kingwell".
14. Blog, Skate Guard. "A Pioneering Sportswriter: The Jim Proudfoot Story".
15. "Chandler Levack – The Varsity".
16. (2015-03-09). "About".
17. Rowe, Janet. (2022-05-16). "Edward M. Roberts leaves legacy for future law students".
18. "20th Annual Kesterton Lecture with Tanya Talaga".
19. University of Toronto. (1980). "The Varsity, September 2, 1980 - April 8, 1981". Toronto : The University.
20. Alma Mater Society. (1965). "Queen's Journal 1964-1965". Kingston: Queen's University.
21. (June 7, 2023). "A&S alum John Lorinc has built a stellar writing career on a foundation of math and logic".