We are very excited to announce that my company, Calumet Media, and Pontiac Printshop, the parent company of The Equity, are well down the road towards an agreement that would see the two companies merge operations within the coming weeks. The result will be a dynamic new company focused on engaging readers and helping businesses with their digital transformation.
We are also very happy to announce that Charles and Sophie Kuijper Dickson will remain at the helm of The Equity and continue the Dickson work of informing the Pontiac.
Read the announcement on TheEquity.ca
Today is the beginning of a new chapter, one that was foretold in the pages of this very paper 30 years ago. On January 11, 1995, The Equity published an article celebrating a significant milestone: its bold leap into the digital world. In it, Rosaleen Dickson, the former editor and owner of The Equity who purchased the paper in 1953, shared a transformative vision. She foresaw the internet as a platform where newspapers could thrive, social connections could flourish, and even everyday conversations—like debating TV shows—could find a home. She described this emerging technology as creating a “global community.”
Read the 1995 article on TheEquity.ca
It was a time when there were only 35 million computers worldwide that were connected to the internet. Now, there are 32 million smart phones in Canada alone and more than 5.5 billion people are connected online at least once a month.
Accompanying the article was a photo of a certain floppy-haired Grade 10 student named Jonathan Stewart, who was quoted as saying the internet was “awesome.”
In many ways, The Equity has always documented the history of the Pontiac one line at a time. That article was prophetic—not just for the future of the internet and journalism, but for my own career path.
After leaving the Pontiac for the city, I pursued a career in media, becoming an early pioneer in digital strategies for radio stations across Ontario and Eastern Canada. By 2012, I had joined the Ottawa Citizen, where I led a transformative digital evolution for that paper and over a dozen others across Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec.
In an unexpected twist of fate, my office at the Citizen was the former publisher’s office—a place steeped in history. Every week, The Equity arrived on my desk, and hanging on the wall was a framed copy of that 1995 article. It served as a constant reminder of my roots and the path my career had taken.
Over my two decades in media, I witnessed firsthand the critical role of brands connecting with their audiences. Whether it was a newspaper delivering breaking news, a radio station announcing an upcoming concert, or an advertiser drawing customers to their store, I had a front-row seat to the transformative impact of the internet on communication. This experience will be crucial in helping The Equity and its advertisers navigate the profound changes that artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies will bring.
During the pandemic, I had the opportunity to reflect on what truly mattered to me. I returned to the Pontiac, drawn by the chance to reconnect with my roots and contribute to the community that shaped me. In 2023, I launched Calumet Media and Consulting, a local digital services firm that has flourished thanks to the support of many local businesses and organizations.
Calumet Media is the company behind the relaunch of The Equity‘s online presence and new digital apps, which have enabled the paper to reach new readers and inform the community in innovative ways. In just four months, we’ve seen a sharp increase in subscriber numbers and engagement. In the coming year, we’ll introduce even more exciting initiatives to reach a wider audience across the region.
Through my work with Charles Dickson and The Equity, it became clear that we are stronger together. This merger represents a unique opportunity for both organizations. For The Equity, a cherished 142-year-old institution, it ensures the ability to navigate the challenges of modern journalism. For Calumet Media, it’s a chance to grow within the Pontiac and lead the region’s digital evolution.
Importantly, Charles and Sophie Kuijper Dickson will continue to lead the editorial department independently, ensuring that The Voice of the Pontiac retains its unmistakable Dickson accent.
As 2025 unfolds, newspapers across the country will face significant challenges, with many at risk of closure. It’s a sobering reality, but also a testament to the importance of vision and adaptation. I am deeply grateful to the Dickson family for their forward-thinking approach and for recognizing this critical juncture.
While others may face uncertainty, The Equity is positioned for a bright future, continuing to serve as a steadfast voice in our community. Does this mean changes to our print publication? Yes. It would be unrealistic to ignore that the days of print media are limited. The publications that thrive will be those that prepare for this inevitable shift to a digital-first and eventually a digital-only distribution.
No immediate changes are planned. Your newspaper will continue to arrive at your door as always. However, it’s time to start a conversation about how we can best deliver news to our readers in the future.
Change is not something to fear. Today, more people connect with TheEquity.ca than read our printed edition—a trend that will undoubtedly continue. Regardless of the platform, we remain deeply committed to the dedication that began 142 years ago, ensuring The Equity remains a cornerstone of the Pontiac for generations to come.
And as a longtime subscriber, I can’t wait to see the “awesome” things The Equity will achieve over the many years to come.
Jon Stewart
Owner, Calumet Media
