How a radical newspaper became the voice of Canada's urban, liberal establishment

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded by striking printers in 1892, the Toronto Star evolved from a scrappy, sensationalist startup into a pillar of Canadian social policy. Guided by the progressive Atkinson Principles, the paper has spent over a century championing the welfare state, balancing urban identity with a centrist, big-tent political outlook.

The Toronto Star was born in 1892 from a labor dispute, established by striking printers and writers led by Horatio Clarence Hocken. Initially struggling, the paper found its true identity under Joseph E. Atkinson, who purchased it in 1899. Atkinson, described as a radical, used the paper to advocate for social welfare, including old age pensions and unemployment insurance. His influence was so profound that his friendship with Prime Minister Mackenzie King helped shape Canadian social policy for decades.

Atkinson’s legacy is codified in the 'Atkinson Principles,' a set of values emphasizing social justice, minority rights, and Canadian sovereignty. These principles guided the paper through various ownership structures, including a complex transition after Atkinson’s death in 1948 when he attempted to leave the paper to a charitable trust. Though the province of Ontario passed the Charitable Gifts Act in 1949 to prevent such ownership, the paper’s trustees successfully maintained the editorial tradition by purchasing the paper themselves.

Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, the Star has navigated the shifting landscape of Canadian media. It moved through several iconic headquarters, from the 1929 Old Toronto Star Building to its long-term home at One Yonge Street, before relocating to the Well in 2022. The paper has consistently balanced its role as a Toronto-centric voice with a national perspective, often aligning with the Liberal Party while occasionally endorsing the NDP. Despite economic pressures that led to its 2020 acquisition by NordStar Capital, the Star remains a central player in Canadian journalism, known for its public editor role and its ongoing commitment to the progressive ideals established by its most famous publisher.

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