Submit an Op-Ed

SCENE 49 welcomes thoughtful, signed opinion pieces from people with a meaningful connection to Canadian arts, entertainment and culture.

Op-eds may explore film and television, music, books and publishing, comedy, theatre, performing arts, festivals, cultural policy, the creative industries, or other issues affecting Canadian artists, audiences, creators and cultural organizations.

Writers do not need to be professional journalists. Firsthand experience, professional knowledge and informed perspectives are welcome.

What we are looking for

A strong op-ed should:

  • focus on a specific issue, question or idea;

  • make a clear argument or offer a distinct perspective;

  • explain why the subject matters to SCENE 49 readers;

  • support factual claims with reliable information;

  • disclose any relevant professional, political, organizational or financial connection; and

  • avoid personal attacks and unsupported allegations.

Most op-eds should be between 600 and 1,000 words.

How to submit

Use the contact form and select Opinions or Op-Ed Submission as the subject.

Please include:

  • your full name;

  • your email address and phone number;

  • the proposed headline;

  • the full article;

  • a brief biography;

  • any relevant affiliation or conflict of interest;

  • links or documents supporting factual claims; and

  • a recent photograph, if available.

Contact information is required for verification but will not be published without permission.

Anonymous or pseudonymous submissions will not normally be accepted.

Editing and publication

Submitting an op-ed does not guarantee publication.

SCENE 49 may edit submissions for length, clarity, grammar, factual accuracy, legal concerns and compliance with our publishing standards. Writers may be asked to provide evidence for factual claims or revise unsupported passages.

Substantial changes will normally be discussed with the writer before publication.

SCENE 49 will not knowingly publish defamatory claims, hate speech, personal harassment, copied material, misleading promotional content or allegations of criminal or unethical conduct that cannot be adequately supported.

Political and organizational submissions

Elected officials, candidates, political parties, businesses, unions, advocacy groups and community organizations may submit op-eds when the subject is relevant to SCENE 49's coverage, but their role and affiliation must be clearly disclosed.

News releases, campaign announcements and advertisements are not considered op-eds. A submission must offer a genuine argument, analysis or informed perspective for readers.

During election periods, SCENE 49 may introduce additional limits or publication guidelines to maintain a fair and balanced range of submissions.

Right of reply

When an op-ed substantially criticizes an identifiable person, organization, business or public body, SCENE 49 may contact the affected party and offer an opportunity to respond.

Any response will be reviewed under the same standards as the original submission.

Previously published work

Please disclose whether the piece has been published elsewhere or submitted simultaneously to another publication.

SCENE 49 generally prefers original submissions but may consider previously published work when the writer retains the necessary rights and the subject remains relevant to our readers.

Editorial independence

Published op-eds represent the views of their authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views of SCENE 49.

The purpose of this section is to support informed discussion about Canadian arts, entertainment and culture. Strong disagreement and differing perspectives are welcome. Personal abuse, deliberate misinformation and unsupported attacks on private individuals are not.