The Gaspé Spec began as the vision of four dedicated community leaders—Lynden Bechervaise, Gary Briand, Donald Miller and Bernie St. Laurent—who believed the English-speaking communities of the Gaspé Coast deserved a stronger voice and a better way to stay connected.
In 1974, their goal was to improve the quality of life for English-speaking residents living in small, scattered communities stretching more than 400 miles along the Gaspé Coast. At the time, there was little to unite these communities. There was no English-language newspaper and no local English-language radio or television service. Most residents relied on media from neighbouring New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island for news.
People in Gaspé tuned in to radio stations from Prince Edward Island, while listeners in New Carlisle followed Bathurst, and those in New Richmond and Escuminac looked to Campbellton. This was before CBC broadcasting reached the region. As a result, many English-speaking Gaspesians knew more about events in neighbouring provinces than what was happening in their own region.
To bridge that gap, The Gaspé Spec was founded with the help of a small federal government grant. The first edition rolled off the press on May 15, 1975, creating the first English-language newspaper dedicated to serving communities across the Gaspé Coast.
Over the years, The Gaspé Spec has grown into much more than a newspaper. It has become an important source of local and regional news, documenting the history, achievements and challenges of the communities it serves. While its primary mission remains serving the English-speaking population, it is also read by many francophones who value its regional coverage and unique perspective.
Today, The Gaspé Spec remains the only independent regional English-language newspaper serving the Gaspé Coast, providing coverage from Rivière-au-Renard to Matapédia. As a community-owned newspaper, we remain committed to delivering reliable local journalism that reflects the people, places and issues that matter most to our readers.
On May 15, 2025, The Gaspé Spec proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary—a milestone that honours five decades of informing, connecting and advocating for the English-speaking communities of the Gaspé Coast. As we look to the future, we remain committed to preserving that legacy while continuing to serve our readers for generations to come.