The little paper that could has returned to its beginnings

Linda Dumont’s commitment to helping out those in need cannot be disputed. She is back at the helm of Alberta Street News.

“A street newspaper is all about vendors. People depend upon the paper to make money. It’s an employment program,” said Dumont, who is back to serving as volunteer editor and publisher.

Photo: Linda Dumont displays copies of Alberta Street News. The one with her and Premier Rachel Notley on the cover is a favourite, said Dumont. 
(Photo: Shari Narine)

In 2014, Martyshuk Housing took over the monthly paper, which is sold on the streets by the homeless, hard-to-employ, the unemployed, or those living on fixed incomes in Edmonton and Calgary. Dave Martyshuk increased the number of pages and employed staff in the hopes of making the project lucrative. But 10 months later, Martyshuk Housing let the paper go.

“I was kind of expecting it. There were hints along the way,” said Dumont, who was employed by Martyshuk Housing as the paper’s editor.

The paper ran into two obstacles, which made it impossible to be a profit-making venture, says Dumont. First, although operated as a non-profit society, it is not a charity and tax deductible receipts cannot be issued. That made getting large donations nearly impossible. Second, the limited circulation – printing between 2,000-3,000 copies per month – and its street-selling status did not make the paper attractive to advertisers. 

So Dumont is at it again, this time as a one-woman show. She hasn’t decided yet whether she will reconvene a board and form a new society. Dumont had been operating Edmonton Street News since November 2005, the precursor of Alberta Street News, which came into being in 2012, when it started distributing in Calgary as well.

When Martyshuk Housing took over Alberta Street News, Dumont dissolved the Edmonton Street News society, let go of an operational government grant, and lost dedicated advertising.

Martyshuk has committed to a full page advertisement at the back of the newly revamped Alberta Street News, which is now 24-page magazine-style. That ad covers the printing costs.  .

“It’s the only way I’ve been able to keep it going,” said Dumont. “I’m not losing money in publishing it, but I’m not making money either.”

Right now, monthly circulation sits at around 1,500 as cold weather keeps vendors off the streets. Dumont expects monthly circulation to climb to 2,500 before decreasing again in the summer months. Vendors purchase papers for 50 cents each and sell them for donations, which average $2

Dumont is working on attracting more vendors. Presently she has 27 sellers, three of whom are located in Calgary. 

“With the economy, vending is less lucrative,” she said.

She would also like to see circulation increase.