Vue Weekly: The History of an Edmonton Alternative Newspaper
For over two decades, Vue Weekly served as a prominent voice in the Edmonton media landscape. As an alternative weekly—a type of publication typically focusing on local arts, culture, and counter-cultural perspectives—Vue navigated a complex history of ownership shifts and intense industry competition.
The Origins and Early Rivalries
Vue was founded in 1995 by a group of former owners and employees of See Magazine. The catalyst for the new publication was a dispute over control, as the founders were dissatisfied after losing control of See to its publisher, Great West Newspaper.
The early years of Vue were marked by shifting ownership. For a short period, the publication was partly owned by The Georgia Straight, before eventually becoming 100% independently owned by Ronald Garth for several years.
Throughout its existence, Vue maintained a fierce rivalry with See Magazine. This competition reached a legal peak in 2005 when Vue Weekly publisher Ron Garth filed a lawsuit against the Canadian Revenue Agency. Garth alleged that See Magazine had improperly received tax breaks intended for Canadian-owned newspapers, despite See's parent company being ultimately owned by the US-based Hollinger Publishing.
Consolidation and the Postvue Era
The competitive landscape shifted dramatically in 2011 when Bob Doull purchased Vue. In a move that ended the long-standing rivalry, Vue was merged with See Magazine. The two entities were consolidated under a new corporate umbrella known as Postvue Publishing Inc., and the publication continued to operate under the name Vue Weekly.
During its tenure, Vue was a recognized member of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, aligning itself with similar independent publications across North America.
The End of an Era
Despite its long history, the demand for alternative weeklies in the Edmonton market began to decline over several years. Consequently, Postvue Publishing announced that Vue Weekly would cease publishing at the end of November 2018.
By October 2019, the official website, vueweekly.com, became inactive. However, the publication's legacy remains accessible through the Internet Archive Wayback Machine, which hosts archived versions of the site dating back to 2002.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1995 by former See Magazine staff.
- Primary Rival: See Magazine.
- Key Figures: Ronald Garth (former independent owner) and Bob Doull (purchaser in 2011).
- Consolidation: Merged into Postvue Publishing Inc. in 2011.
- Closure: Ceased operations in November 2018.
- Professional Affiliation: Member of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies.
| Year/Period | Event/Ownership Status |
|---|---|
| 1995 | Founded by former See Magazine employees/owners. |
| Early Years | Briefly partly owned by The Georgia Straight; later 100% owned by Ronald Garth. |
| 2005 | Lawsuit filed against Canadian Revenue Agency regarding rival tax breaks. |
| 2011 | Purchased by Bob Doull; merged with See Magazine under Postvue Publishing Inc. |
| Nov 2018 | Ceased publishing due to declining market demand. |
| Oct 2019 | Official website became inactive. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Vue Weekly founded?
Vue was established in 1995 by former employees and owners of See Magazine who were upset after losing control of that publication to Great West Newspaper.
Who owned Vue Weekly before the 2011 merger?
While it was briefly partly owned by The Georgia Straight, it was independently owned by Ronald Garth for several years prior to the merger.
What was the nature of the 2005 lawsuit?
Publisher Ron Garth sued the Canadian Revenue Agency, claiming that See Magazine received tax breaks reserved for Canadian-owned papers despite being owned by the US-based Hollinger Publishing.
When did Vue Weekly stop publishing?
The publication ceased operations at the end of November 2018 because the demand for alternative weeklies in Edmonton had been declining for several years.
Can I still access Vue Weekly content?
Although the official website is no longer active as of October 2019, archived versions of vueweekly.com from 2002 onwards are available via the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.