The Gaspé Spec was founded on May 15, 1975, and is operated by Sea-Coast Publications Inc., a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Any operating surplus is reinvested into the newspaper to strengthen and expand its services to the community.
The Board of Directors meets regularly throughout the year to oversee the organization’s finances, governance and strategic direction, while ensuring the newspaper continues to fulfill its mission of serving the English-speaking communities of the Gaspé Coast. An Annual General Meeting is held each year and is open to members of the public.
Since its founding, The Gaspé Spec has evolved alongside the communities it serves. It was first published as a monthly newspaper, later became bi-weekly, and transitioned to a weekly publication on November 4, 1980. After more than four decades as a weekly newspaper, The Gaspé Spec returned to a bi-weekly publication schedule in May 2025, while continuing its commitment to providing comprehensive local and regional news coverage.
Over the past 50 years, The Gaspé Spec has built a loyal readership that extends well beyond the Gaspé Coast. Today, the newspaper is read by thousands of people throughout the region, as well as by former Gaspesians and subscribers across Canada and around the world—including the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia—helping them stay connected to their communities and their roots.