The Republic (newspaper)
Encyclopedia
The Republic is a liberal local paper, published fortnight
ly from 2000 to 2008, in East Vancouver, an area of Vancouver
, British Columbia
, Canada
.
Self-described as "independent and opinionated", The Republic addresses a variety of topics from city-level politics to issues across the world stage. Articles are for the most part in essay form, often containing both factual information and editorial comment.
The Republic is very open about its editorial policy, noting on the front page - "your biased media since 2000". This reference is in keeping with the paper's stance that there is no such thing as an unbiased media. The mission statement
printed on the masthead
further expands on editorial position:
The publisher and editor, Kevin Potvin
, ran for political office as an independent candidate for Vancouver City Council
in the 2005 election, but was not elected.
The Republic first came to city-wide attention in 2000 by declaring the neighborhood of East Vancouver to be a sovereign state. Although humorous, it drew attention to several political issues, including the fact that life expectancy (at 71.1 years) and living conditions in the Downtown East Side (DTES) are significantly lower than in most of Canada.
The Republic claims a circulation of approximately 12,000. This is both subscription readers and free distribution to a wide variety of local businesses across the Vancouver area.
In 2009, Potvin announced The Republic would be going on indefinite hiatus and saying he does not know "exactly when it will return." Regarding the reasons for the hiatus, Potvin posted:
Potvin further notes that, according to his estimates, after "nine-and-a-half years" of publication, he has "written and published 2 million words...the equivalent of 25 average-sized books" and "printed and distributed 1 million copies of the paper. Another round number emerges: stacked up, the pile would reach pretty much exactly 1 mile high."
Fortnight
The fortnight is a unit of time equal to fourteen days, or two weeks. The word derives from the Old English fēowertyne niht, meaning "fourteen nights"....
ly from 2000 to 2008, in East Vancouver, an area of Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Self-described as "independent and opinionated", The Republic addresses a variety of topics from city-level politics to issues across the world stage. Articles are for the most part in essay form, often containing both factual information and editorial comment.
The Republic is very open about its editorial policy, noting on the front page - "your biased media since 2000". This reference is in keeping with the paper's stance that there is no such thing as an unbiased media. The mission statement
Mission statement
A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making...
printed on the masthead
Masthead (publishing)
The masthead is a list, published in a newspaper or magazine, of its staff. In some publications it names only the most senior individuals; in others, it may name many or all...
further expands on editorial position:
The Republic of East Vancouver supports no party, advocates for no cause, represents no group, serves no master, and considers problems with no preconceived notions. We hope to afflict the comfortable and to comfort the afflicted, preferably at the same time.
The publisher and editor, Kevin Potvin
Kevin Potvin
Kevin Potvin is a newspaper publisher and columnist, small business owner, and politician based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He founded and runs the Magpie Magazine Gallery, a retail store on Commercial Drive, and The Republic of East Vancouver, an alternative bi-weekly newspaper...
, ran for political office as an independent candidate for Vancouver City Council
Vancouver City Council
Vancouver City Council is the governing body of the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.The city is governed by the Vancouver Charter, not the Community Charter and the Local Government Act which are used for other municipal governments...
in the 2005 election, but was not elected.
The Republic first came to city-wide attention in 2000 by declaring the neighborhood of East Vancouver to be a sovereign state. Although humorous, it drew attention to several political issues, including the fact that life expectancy (at 71.1 years) and living conditions in the Downtown East Side (DTES) are significantly lower than in most of Canada.
The Republic claims a circulation of approximately 12,000. This is both subscription readers and free distribution to a wide variety of local businesses across the Vancouver area.
In 2009, Potvin announced The Republic would be going on indefinite hiatus and saying he does not know "exactly when it will return." Regarding the reasons for the hiatus, Potvin posted:
There are a number of reasons. The chief one is, I can’t find anything to say with conviction anymore. I’ve lost the thrill, I guess. I certainly wouldn’t claim to have said everything that needs saying, but for the time being, I would claim to have at least said everything I am able to say.
Potvin further notes that, according to his estimates, after "nine-and-a-half years" of publication, he has "written and published 2 million words...the equivalent of 25 average-sized books" and "printed and distributed 1 million copies of the paper. Another round number emerges: stacked up, the pile would reach pretty much exactly 1 mile high."