CBC News nabs 2 of 6 nominations for Michener Award

Two CBC News projects are among the six finalists for the Michener Award, which is given for excellence in public-service journalism.

CBC's reporting on temporary foreign workers and the death of a young baby in a remote Nunavut community are being considered for the award, which will be handed out at a ceremony at Rideau Hall on June 18.

The temporary foreign workers stories showed problems with how the program was being used and exposed abuses by employers, including some McDonald's locations. The stories generated response from across the country and eventually prompted the Conservative government to make changes to the program.

CBC North conducted an in-depth investigation into the death of a young baby in Cape Dorset, Nunavut. Their reporting looked at the health-care struggles in remote Arctic communities and examined the record of a nurse who was posted to Cape Dorset.

"Through interviews and access-to-information requests, CBC North revealed that the nurse in question was the subject of numerous official complaints and had conditions placed on her nursing licence," the Michener Foundation says.

The other nominees are:

L'actualité: For an investigation into how the military handles sexual assault and harassment allegations. The eight-month investigation, which included detailed interviews with soldiers, resulted in an independent investigation and the reinstatement of one victim who had been discharged after complaining.

The Canadian Press:  For an investigation "exploring and explaining the new and complicated rules" of the Conservative government's Fair Elections Act and the controversy that surrounded it.

"The result was national protest, almost universal condemnation and ultimately government amendments to the Act to remove some of the Conservative government's most egregious attempts to manipulate the new voting system to its advantage," the foundation says.

The Globe and Mail: For a series that looked into the legacy of thalidomide and the lived experience of the survivors.  The government announced in March the creation of a $168-million medical fund and a lump sum payment of $125,000 for survivors.

The Vancouver Sun: For a series that looked at struggles and realities of "aging out" of British Columbia's foster care system at 19. The series, which sparked action from community groups, colleges and universities and the province, included a cost-benefit analysis that showed "taxpayers would save money if B.C. extended foster care support for 19- to 24-year olds."

The Michener Award, founded in 1970 by then governor-general Roland Michener, is awarded annually.

"The judges' decisions are heavily influenced by the degree of public benefit generated by the print, broadcast and online entries submitted for consideration," the foundation says.

The Toronto Star took the prize last year for its coverage of Toronto's then-mayor Rob Ford and the controversies around him.